Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of money allocated by his Department for the development of park and ride facilities by local authorities in 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; the amount drawn down by local authorities for this purpose in each of the years mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41205/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The development of park and ride facilities is a matter for local authorities and as an incentive my Department also provides capital funding for such purposes. In the Greater Dublin Area, €1.2 million was allocated in 2004 for local authorities in respect of interchanges/park and ride, and €1.2 million was allocated in 2005. The amount paid out by my Department in 2004 was €0.8 million, and €0.289 million was paid in 2005. In 2006, I have made €5 million in capital available. Although there have been expressions of interest, I have not received any proposals in relation to this funding.

In the case of regional cities, the funding allocated is in respect of bus priority and park and ride measures. In 2004, my Department allocated €8.5 million for bus priority and park and ride measures in the regional cities. Of this funding, €2.4 million was drawn down in relation to park and ride. An original allocation of €8 million by my Department in 2005 was increased to €10.8 million, due to accelerated work on Green Routes in Cork. Of this funding, €1.5 million was drawn down in relation to park and ride. In 2006, a total of €12 million has been made available for these measures in the regional cities. To date, €425,000 has been drawn down in respect of park and ride facilities.