Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which it is intended to fund provision of car parking at suburban train stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31076/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of appropriately located Park and Ride facilities is an important element of Transport 21 and very significant funds have been set aside under Transport 21 for this purpose. Well-located park and ride facilities can contribute significantly to modal shift to public transport. Carefully chosen park and ride sites will be a feature of each of the major rail based public transport projects under Transport 21, such as Metro North, Metro West, the extended Luas Green line, Kildare Route Project and the Navan Line. QBC based Park and Ride facilities will also be located at other strategic locations.

I have approved a strategy prepared by the Dublin Transportation Office for Park and Ride facilities on the existing and proposed rail network in the Greater Dublin Area. Local Authorities are examining the most suitable locations for QBC based Park and Ride facilities and will be applying to my Department for funding under Transport 21 for the capital cost of such facilities in due course.

Iarnród Éireann is developing a prioritised Park and Ride development programme, taking account of the Dublin Transportation Office strategy for the development of rail based Park and Ride facilities. Iarnród Éireann is at present expanding its Park and Ride facilities at Ennis, Mallow and at Leixlip/Louisabridge on the Maynooth line, as these stations were viewed as being in immediate need of expanded Park and Ride facilities. In addition, as part of its Kildare Route Project, Iarnród Éireann will be providing park and ride facilities at the new stations to be located at Adamstown, Kishogue, Fonthill Road and Parkwest.

This year, my Department is providing approximately €1.2 million for these works in Leixlip, €0.7 million for Ennis and €1.3 million for Mallow. The Railway Procurement Agency has already provided Park and Ride facilities at Red Cow on the Red Line and at Sandyford and Balally on the Green Line, as part of the development of the first Luas lines. The Agency is in the process of providing further Park and Ride facilities on the Red Line at Tallaght. Suitable Park and Ride sites for new Luas and Metro projects will be identified as part of the process of selecting route alignment.