Robert Troy
Ceist:430. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that has been spent on the DART expansion project to date in 2017. [51016/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 November 2017
Ceisteanna (430, 431)
Robert Troy
Ceist:431. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of completing the DART expansion project. [51017/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme. The original cost of the overall DART Expansion Programme (including the DART Underground Tunnel element) was estimated at €4 billion, of which €3 billion was in respect of the tunnel as originally designed. The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned to provide a lower cost solution. I understand that the NTA's work on this is expected to be completed soon.
The Government’s budgetary framework for capital investment, as set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, was reviewed earlier this year in the context of the Mid-Term Review of capital priorities, delivery and funding. Following this work, Budget 2018 increased the multi-annual capital investment funding envelopes for the coming four-year period, including providing an enhanced capital envelope of €2.7 billion for public transport investment between 2018 and 2021. This includes funding of about €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement. This will enable acceleration of the initial stages of the overall DART Expansion Programme, focussing particularly at this stage on providing additional fleet to enhance capacity, and extending the electrified DART system. Specifically, it will allow substantial progress on electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan - now expected to be delivered in 2022 - and the Maynooth line.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority for information in relation to expenditure in 2017 on the DART Expansion Programme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.