Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received proposals for the provision of park and ride facilities in County Kildare under Transport 21. [11073/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I regard park and ride facilities as an important component in our strategy for attracting people out of private cars and on to public transport. Last summer I approved a Dublin Transportation Office — DTO — strategy for rail-based park and ride, which envisages facilities at 22 locations on the existing and proposed rail network within the greater Dublin area — GDA.

This year, under Transport 21, I have indicated that €5 million in capital funding is being made available for suitable park and ride projects in the GDA. Arrangements for rail-based park and ride funding will also extend to public transport interchange projects. Capital funding for pilot bus-based park and ride projects will also be considered. There will be no revenue support to subsidise operating costs of park and ride facilities.

Applications by public bodies for funding for specific park and ride projects will be considered by my Department on a first come, first served basis. They will be evaluated according to their business cases and against the strategic value they offer, as assessed against the DTO strategy.

No specific proposals have as yet been received by my Department for implementation of park and ride facilities in County Kildare during 2006.