Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
39. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's main capital investment priorities in the context of the ongoing review of the capital investment plan; and the status of the key capital projects within his Department's scope. [7745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government has proposed that a ten year capital plan will be set out which will take account of the National Planning Framework. In relation to transport infrastructure, the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport sets out the overarching priorities for investment in our transport network. My Department has worked closely with relevant Departmental colleagues on the development of both the ten year plan and the new National Planning Framework and I look forward to the publication of both in the coming days.
The Deputy is also aware that in last year’s mid-term review of the current capital plan - Building on Recovery – I secured the largest increase in capital funding of all Departments out to the period 2021. That increase will allow for accelerated delivery of projects across the transport, tourism and sport areas of my Department’s work programme.
In public transport for example, over €770million has been allocated for the implementation of the Bus Connects programme which commenced last year and which will continue throughout 2018. Increased allocations have also been provided to Iarnród Éireann to invest in its heavy rail maintenance programme, as well as improved signalling and a national train control centre which will benefit the network as a whole. Funding has also been provided to move ahead with the DART Expansion programme with electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan expected to be delivered in 2022 and work commenced on the Maynooth line.
In roads, construction has already started on the M7 Naas to Newbridge motorway widening, Sallins By-Pass and Osberstown Interchange scheme together with the Grange Castle Business park approach roads (Adamstown & Nangor road upgrades), while the rolling programme of improvements on the N56 in Donegal is also continuing. The additional money provided in last year’s mid-term review will allow for a number of additional roads projects to commence, such as: the Sligo Western distributor road, the Tralee northern relief road and the Killaloe bypass and R494 upgrade.
In relation to tourism, a new Greenways Strategy is currently being finalised which will provide the policy backdrop to the improved funding programme I announced in last year’s Budget while development of the new brand for the Midlands region will also be completed.
In sports, I have announced a commitment of €16 million euros to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021 while I have also announced the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund to bring a more strategic approach to Government support of national and regional sporting facilities.
As the Deputy can see, there are significant projects underway or in preparation across my Department’s remit and I look forward to the completion of these projects and the further development of our transport, tourism and sports infrastructure in the coming years.
