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Departmental Agencies Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Ceisteanna (551)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

551. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost incurred in establishing the National Transport Agency and Transport Infrastructure Ireland; the operational cost of each; the number of staff in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43650/19]

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Freagraí scríofa

The National Transport Authority (NTA), was established 10 years ago on 1 December 2009, under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended by the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. While the NTA assimilated most of the functions of the previous Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), it also took on a deeper and wider remit under the terms of the 2008 and 2009 Acts, and subsequent legislation. The NTA’s main focus is on planning, development, regulation and funding of public transport – e.g. through securing the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus and rail services nationally, licensing commercial bus operations, and regulating the taxi industry – and it also has an important role in relation to active travel. The NTA also has particular statutory responsibilities in relation to the planning and development of transport throughout the Greater Dublin Area. On relevant matters, it works closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which has responsibility relating to infrastructure procurement and operation.

On establishment, the budget for the NTA’s operation comprised the allocation previously provided for the DTO: Exchequer funds of €1.012 million directly, plus €1.3 million via a range of transport agency sources. Discussions on final staffing levels took place with the Department of Finance, within the broader parameters of the then Employment Control Framework arrangements for non-commercial state bodies, resulting in a revised 2010 allocation for the NTA of €3.608 million. Together with the €1.3m mentioned earlier, the necessary set-up and administrative costs of the NTA amounted to €4.908 million.

The 2018 Annual Report and Accounts of the NTA show total administration costs of €17.742m. The NTA has delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER) for 140 permanent staff during 2019, an increase of 26 staff on the number sanctioned for 2018. The NTA also has 145 outsourced placements from third party service providers, which are necessary to deliver its strategic programme.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was established 4 years ago, on 1 August 2015, under the Roads Act 2015, as a merger of the two agencies previously responsible for the major Exchequer-funded capital infrastructure projects in the transport area, namely the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency. TII’s main focus is on the building and operation of Ireland’s national roads network and light rail infrastructure throughout Ireland. It works closely with the NTA on relevant matters, especially in relation to light rail.

The merger was one of the measures followed under the State Agency Rationalisation Plan, and TII was established at zero net cost, because savings on the rationalisation of premises covered any once-off costs of establishment.

At end Q3 2019, TII has 262.2 (full time equivalent) staff in place. The 2018 Annual Report and Accounts of TII show total administration costs of €24.448 million.

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