Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 531: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received proposals for park and ride facilities in County Kildare under Transport 21. [15551/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of park and ride facilities is an important component in our strategy for attracting people out of private cars and on to public transport. To this end, last summer I approved a Dublin transportation office 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. I have also made provision, under Transport 21, for €5 million in capital funding this year for suitable park and ride projects in the greater Dublin area. 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 Dublin transportation office strategy.

I am waiting to receive specific proposals from local authorities and from Irish Rail for implementation of park and ride facilities during 2006.