Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport the number and distribution of park and ride facilities in the Dublin metropolitan area and in neighbouring counties; the number and distribution of such facilities to be provided in these areas under Transport 21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25961/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Transport 21 provides for the doubling of the number of park and ride (P&R) facilities in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) in the period up to 2015.

I am informed that there are Park and Ride (P&R) facilities on the Irish Rail network at Adamstown, Balbriggan, Blackrock, Booterstown, Bray, Clontarf, Connolly, Dalkey, Gormanston, Greystones, Heuston, Killester, Killiney, Leixlip Confey, Leixlip Louisa-Bridge, Malahide, Maynooth, Raheny, Sallins, Salthill & Monkstown, Skerries and Sutton.

Plans are at an advanced stage for construction of further P&R facilities at Iarnród Éireann stations at Newbridge and Kildare, Arklow, Rush, Lusk, Donabate, Grange Road Baldoyle and at Pace in Co Meath when Phase 1 of the Navan Rail Line opens in 2010.

My Department has also funded studies looking at the feasibility of parking facilities at Kilcock, Hazlehatch and Athy, Portmarnock and Coolmine, Enfield and Laytown and at Wicklow Town.

There are currently five P&R sites along the existing Luas network at Red Cow, Sandyford, Stillorgan, Balally and Exchange Hall. I understand that the RPA is currently investigating the possibility of opening a further, temporary, P&R site near the Stillorgan Luas stop during the construction of the new line which will require the temporary closing of the Sandyford facility. The Luas extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood will have a P&R site at Carrickmines and the Luas Red Line to Citywest will have a P&R facility at Cheeverstown.

Metro North will have 3 P&R sites at Lissenhall, Metropark, between the Airport and the M50, and Fosterstown, south of Swords.

The preferred route for the extension of the Green line from Cherrywood to the Bray area includes a P&R facility at Fassaroe.

As part of Metro West, the RPA hope to provide P&R facilities from the N2 (Ashbourne) at the Huntstown stop, N3 (Navan) at the Blanchardstown stop and N4 (Lucan) at the Liffey Valley stop. Additional facilities might also be provided at other locations.

The proposed Luas line to Lucan is currently subject to public consultation on possible route options and depending on the preferred route may have a P&R facility in the Liffey Valley area.

There is also funding available from my Department for the development of P&R facilities by local authorities. It is a matter for the local authorities to identify sites and to apply to my Department for funding. While no applications have been received to date, I understand that South Dublin County Council is awaiting the outcome of its application to An Bord Pleanála for permission for a bus-based park and ride facility close to the M4 Lucan/Leixlip interchange.

My Department will consider any further funding requests for new or improved P&R facilities over the lifetime of Transport 21.