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Departmental Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018

Thursday, 8 March 2018

Ceisteanna (479)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

479. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects committed to under the Project Ireland 2040 national planning framework; the deadline for each project's completion; and the status of each project (details supplied). [11273/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, Government has committed toward delivering an ambitious National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027 which will drive Ireland’s long term economic, environmental and social progress across all parts of the country over the next decade.

My Department and its agencies have a key role to play in delivering that progress and the NDP contains commitments toward a wide range of projects and programmes across transport, tourism and sport.

The NDP itself outlines these projects and programmes, the timelines involved and frequently the current status as well and is available to view at http://www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040

Notwithstanding that, I have provided below some further relevant details under each sectoral area –

Aviation

In relation to aviation issues, the NDP highlights the importance of continued investment in our airport connections as integral to underpinning international competitiveness.

In relation to projects that were specifically mentioned in the new NDP such as the second parallel runway and the IAA’s new control tower at Dublin Airport, I can say that works on both are already underway. Preliminary works for the new runway were completed in late 2017 while the procurement process for the main construction works is currently underway. The new runway is expected to be operational in 2021. Work on the IAA’s new visual control tower commenced last September and construction is expected to be completed in March 2019 to be followed by installation of specialist equipment, systems, testing and commissioning in time to facilitate operations on the second parallel runway in 2021.     

In terms of the more significant committed projects in Shannon, work is currently underway by Shannon Group on an advanced technology manufacturing unit and a new office block in the Shannon Free Zone which are scheduled for completion in April and July respectively this year. I am informed that other projects are at various stages of the project appraisal lifecycle:  appraisal, planning and implementation. These include, subject to cross agency support, the construction later this year of a new wide body aircraft hangar in Shannon Airport.

The NDP also provides for continued Exchequer support for the smaller regional airports under the Regional Airport Programme. This Programme is administered on an annual basis and the airports are invited to submit their applications for capital support towards safety and security related projects at the beginning of each year. This year’s applications are currently being assessed by my Department and, as in previous years, an announcement of the capital grant allocations for these airports will be made in due course.

Ports

The NDP details the non-Exchequer led funding being invested in our three Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) which is summarised in the table –

Project

Cost

Estimated Completion Date

Dublin Port Company

Alexander Basin Redevelopment   Project

€230m

2022

Status: Under construction

Port of Cork Company

Ringaskiddy Redevelopment

€90m

2020

Status: - Contractor   appointed

Shannon Foynes Port Company

Capacity Extension Works

€27m

2022  

Status: Phase 2 at   preplanning stage– Expect to go to planning April 2018

Public Transport  

The NDP provides a total of €8.6 billion for investment in public transport projects around Ireland over the next 10 years. These projects include Metro Link, priority elements of the DART Expansion Programme and BusConnects in the GDA and Cork and Galway. In addition, there will be continued investment in sustainable transport projects including traffic management and other smarter travel projects along with new urban and cycling routes in our cities to allow transport infrastructure to function more effectively and relieve congestion.  

As the National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the delivery of the various projects, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  

Roads

The NDP details a range of inter-urban and national road projects to be progressed over its lifetime. As the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, I have referred the Deputy's Question to TII for for a more detailed reply.

The NDP details the regional and local roads to be progressed over the course of the NDP as part of an estimated €4.5billon investment programme. All projects bar two are expected to be completed by end 2021, the exceptions being Athy Southern Distributor Road and Killaloe Bypass/R494 Upgrade, which are expected to be completed by end 2022. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. Implementation of projects included in the NDP is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

My Department will be liaising with local authorities in relation to possible future projects for development in the post 2021 period and the appraisal requirements in relation to such projects.  

Sports

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government’s primary method of providing support to sports clubs and organisations for capital projects. The Capital Plan provides €100m for the SCP in the period to 2021. The Plan also states that the programme will be further expanded over the period 2022 – 2027.

Following the conclusion of the Budget 2018 discussions, it was agreed that this Department would also establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” in 2018. The Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount available under the SCP. The NDP as published includes €100m for the new fund with finance available from 2019. The Department will draft the terms and conditions of the new scheme over the coming months and an announcement to include how and when organisations can apply for the funding will be made at that stage.

As part of the development of the National Sports Campus, €26 million has been allocated for Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena which comprises covered pitches and ancillary facilities, for rugby, soccer and Gaelic games. Construction is underway and this project is due for completion in 2019.

Furthermore, €16 million has been allocated for the construction of a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre. Planning permission is in place and construction is to commence in 2020. This project is due for completion by 2021.

The referred replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
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