Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals for the development of park and ride facilities nationwide in 2006; the financial supports which will be available to develop such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3341/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Provision of park and ride facilities has been incorporated in Transport 21, as one of the ways of attracting more people onto public transport. In the case of the greater Dublin area, my Department last year approved the Dublin Transportation Office's strategy for rail-based park and ride facilities in that area, while plans in other cities, such as the Cork area strategic plan, also incorporate the provision of park and ride facilities as part of their vision for the future of transport.

The DTO and local authorities in regional cities have been informed that capital grants will be provided, in appropriate circumstances, for the development of park and ride facilities.

In 2006, funding of €5 million is being allocated specifically for park and ride facilities in the greater Dublin area. Funding of €11.5 million has been allocated for bus priority measures, including park and ride facilities, in the regional cities in 2006 on foot of applications received from the relevant local authorities. However, no specific proposals have, as yet, been received by my Department for implementation of park and ride facilities during 2006.

Allocation of funding to park and ride proposals will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Proposals will be assessed on their merits, by my Department, based on a rigorous capital appraisal.