Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Transport the mechanism by which funding for park and ride facilities in the GDA will be allocated in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10263/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Park and ride facilities are an important component in the strategy for attracting people out of private cars and on to public transport, so reducing congestion and improving the environment. In this context, 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 the basis of proposals from the DTO and Irish Rail 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.