Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of money under Transport 21 that has been spent in Donegal on public transport projects since its launch. [18524/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Rural Transport Programme, which runs in conjunction with Transport 21, two community transport groups, Seirbhís Iompair Tuaithe Teoranta (South West Donegal) and Síob Teo (An Gaeltacht Lár and the islands of Arranmore and Tory), are operational in County Donegal. Funding provided to these groups in 2006 totalled €239,000, while a total of €304,000 was provided in 2007.

As part of a process to extend the Rural Transport Programme on a phased basis funding has also been provided to the Inishowen Partnership to support them to develop a transport project plan for the Inishowen Peninsula.

Under Transport 21, Donegal regional airport will receive €3.8 million for projects aimed at providing enhanced levels of safety and security. In addition, major investment has also been made in the national roads programme in the county including the N15 Ballyshannon — Bundoran Bypass, which forms part of the Atlantic Road Corridor, and the N56 Mountaintop to Illistrin.

However, under Section 19 of the Roads Act 1993 allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of national roads is a matter for the NRA.

Further investment in road improvements on other parts of the N15 and the N56 will be made during Transport 21.