Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Thank you, Chairman and members. I will make some brief opening comments on the 2015 Estimates. As members are aware, the tourism and transport sectors have proven track records in creating employment and driving growth in the economy. Sport also has a vital economic role to play along with the obvious societal benefits. My Department’s investment programme is underpinning the efforts. With an overall budget allocation of €1.6 billion, we have the funding to target investment in the transport network, support the tourism sector and promote sport to drive the country forward.

At €1.8 billion, last year was an exceptional year in terms of Government investment in those sectors. A significant portion of the allocation was once-off stimulus funding which was made available through the sale of State assets. Some of the stimulus funding forms part of the 2015 budget allocation. A further Supplementary Estimate of €162 million in December enabled us to target funding particularly in the public transport sector and the benefits of the investment will be apparent this year.

At €910 million, I am pleased to say that my baseline capital funding for 2015 represents a substantial increase on the €818 million that was originally programmed for 2015 under the previous capital framework. I am also confident that this baseline will continue on an upward trajectory in the coming years in order that we can restore capital investment, particularly in land transport, to pre-crisis levels. That is vital to ensuring transport supports rather than impedes economic recovery. For tourism, it means we can build on the momentum achieved through initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way. For sport, it means we can make real progress towards the ambitious plans for a world class sports infrastructure.

My baseline for current expenditure is reduced by 2% in line with continuing fiscal and budgetary consolidation measures across Government. However, I have managed to safeguard key areas of spend, particularly public transport obligations, PSO, subventions for public transport and sport. Savings elsewhere are being achieved through leaner administration, IT efficiencies and greater recourse to other financing options.

Within this overall allocation, my Department will invest €967 million throughout the country in capital projects this year. That will fund the national roads programme to the tune of €326 million, including continued progress on the PPP programme completion of the N7 and N11 from Arklow to Rathnew. This PPP project also includes the provision of a new motorway service area on the Gorey bypass. Construction work will commence on the 57 km motorway and dual carriageway PPP project on the N17 and N18 from Gort to Tuam.

The local and regional roads programme will receive €250 million for maintenance and minor schemes. The programme is essential to the economic development of rural communities and to ensure regional connectivity. Public transport will receive €270 million in capital funding – ensuring continued progress on Luas cross city. Funding will also support the city centre re-signalling programme to facilitate the opening of the Phoenix Park tunnel, address congestion bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of the rail network. A rolling programme of PSO bus replacement will continue to be funded.

There will also be bus priority measures and improvements to bus stops and shelters. Equally, progress is continuing on the enhancement of the Leap card, with additional private bus operators joining the scheme. An interface to support use of mobile phones to read and top up Leap cards, will also be developed.

The capital envelope for sport will exceed €66 million in 2015, including carry-over from 2014. This will allow significant progress on the national sports campus and in particular on the new national indoor arena. It will also provide for a new round of sports capital funding which is a vital source of investment for local sports clubs throughout the country.

Tourism will also benefit from more than €18 million in capital funding. This will ensure the existing suite of capital projects are delivered, including the Dublin heritage trail, the Kilkenny medieval mile and Killarney House. It will also ensure significant progress on the Wild Atlantic Way.

The current spend allocation of €674 million this year is a reduction on 2014 of around 2%. This is in line with the Government's fiscal consolidation objectives and, in the case of my Department, the reduction will be delivered on the back of greater efficiencies and leaner administration rather than service cuts. I have been able to honour my commitment to maintain the public service obligation levels for public transport companies at €210 million. I am also pleased that the 2014 level of current funding for sport has slightly increased. As both myself and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, have reiterated, investment in sport has hugely positive social, physical and mental implications, both for the individual and for broader society.

I am keenly aware of the importance of regional airports. The regional airport allocation is maintained at 2014 levels, which is €12 million and this will ensure continuation of this critical programme for regional development.

Another vital area of my Department's work is the maritime transport programme and it will be maintained at similar levels to 2014. This will ensure the Coast Guard level of service is maintained.

This Revised Estimate allocation is geared towards an economy in recovery. We do not have all the funding we need to progress all the projects we would like but we are moving in the right direction. I will continue to ensure that what funding is available is targeted to maximise jobs and economic growth. I am more than happy to answer any questions from members.