Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1272: To ask the Minister for Transport the level of EU funding that will be available for the Metro North project; and the fund or funds from which the project will benefit. [2915/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Department of Finance are preparing a National Strategic Reference Framework, which will set out the strategic orientation of the next round of Structural Funds for the period 2007-2013, for presentation to the European Commission by the 6th of March next. The quantity of Structural Funds available to Ireland is €900 million and its profile over the 7 year period will have an impact on the types of priorities that will be chosen for funding. It is not currently envisaged that major infrastructure projects such as Metro North will be funded but rather niche programmes that will complement the new NDP.

Funding for transport projects is also available under the Trans European Network (TEN-T) programme. I understand that current EU funding under this programme is focused on 30 priority projects and that the European Commission is giving priority to cross-border road and rail projects. I also understand that the revised Financial Regulation governing this programme is still under discussion. When this regulation has been adopted, further consideration will be given to the possible submission of Irish transport projects for assistance under the TENs programme.