Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to appear before the select sub-committee to recommend this Supplementary Estimate of €100 million in additional capital funding for my Department. This will bring my overall capital envelope this year to more than €1.07 billion. This additional funding will further support our public transport system, allow for much needed maintenance of our road network and facilitate the speedier roll-out of a number of key projects.

The €100 million breaks down as follows: €60 millionis being allocated to the public transport investment programme. Of this €29 million is being allocated for rail fleet maintenance, €9 million for safety works, maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network nationwide, €20 million for the provision of public service obligation, PSO, buses for the Dublin Bus fleet, and close to €2 million for cycle measures in the greater Dublin area. Some €34 millionis being allocated to the roads programme. This will target critical remedial works, maintenance and strengthening of the road network at national, regional and local level, where funding has been severely constrained since the crisis began.

This spend has a wide geographic spread and will have positive economic impact. Of this, €10 million has been allocated to pavement works on our national road network, and €24 million will go towards regional and local roads, which will allow the upgrading of 350 km of sub-standard road pavement to be brought up to a high standard. Some €3 millionwill be allocated to complete the Mullingar–Athlone greenway, €1 million to tourism related projects, €800,000will be allocated to the national indoor arena and €260,000to procure drug testing devices and progress work on the third payment option for fixed charge notices.

As this committee is only too aware, the level of funding for roads and public transport has fallen well below comparable international standards. From a peak of €3 billion or 1.6% of national income in 2008 to a historic low of €850 million, 0.5% of national income in 2014, it is evident to all who travel across the country that investment in road maintenance and strengthening is an urgent priority. This additional investment will bring the overall capital investment programme in roads to €610 million this year. We need this to make the road network safer and to support economic development. Funds are also being provided for road safety measures.

As we build on the progress we have been making in recent years, more people are returning to work. This is, indeed, great news. However, it is also resulting in a rise in congestion levels in certain areas. This threatens to slow economic activity and has a negative impact on people's living standards. Today’s funding will support the renewal and expansion of our bus fleet, which will improve reliability; enhance rail journey times and expand the bike share scheme, all of which will combat congestion and help facilitate further growth. It will bring total capital investment in public transport this year to almost €340 million.

From 2016 onwards, we have agreed a capital plan which provides close to €10 billion in funding over seven years for land transport investment, moving us from an annual investment figure of around €1 billion this year to €1.93 billion in 2022. This is a clear signal that we are addressing the funding needs which I outlined earlier. We must continue to make choices. We must have priorities. These include a return to the necessary levels of investment, a major transport project for north Dublin and a schedule of investment to expand and improve the road network around Ireland. It is predicated on three priorities of maintaining and upgrading our existing transport network, targeting urban congestion and improving connectivity around the country, particularly to key seaports and airports.

In respect of tourism, I am delighted that the additional €3 million investment in the Mullingar to Athlone greenway will complete this phase of a more ambitious Dublin to Galway greenway to a high standard. The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s ancient east initiatives are key platforms to build and enhance the visitor experience and €1 million of investment will be made in signage to enhance both of these experiences. Investment will also be made in development of other tourism capital development priorities such as the "Ulysses Centre" - University College Dublin’s development of an international literary centre in Newman House on St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin, the Dublin discovery trail in Dublin and the Connemara cultural centre in Rosmuc. It will also fund feasibility studies on the development of facilities at a number of discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Some additional funding for the national indoor arena will enable us to accelerate the completion of this project. Once complete, the arena will comprise a national indoor athletics training centre, a national indoor training centre, and a national gymnastics training centre. Work on the project commenced in February 2015, with completion scheduled for November 2016.

The Supplementary Estimate also includes a technical amendment which allows the Department to receive approximately €14 million in development levies from the Rail Procurement Agency and channel it back out through the National Transport Authority for Luas network related costs. The effect of this is to increase the expenditure under the B8 Public Transport subhead without increasing the Exchequer contribution.

I recommend this Supplementary Estimate to the committee for its consideration and approval. I am happy to answer any queries Members may have on the components of the Supplementary Estimate.