Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the nationwide provisions in place for commuter park and ride facilities in view of the need to encourage a modal shift to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46362/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports park and ride as having a role to play in encouraging commuters to switch to public transport. The provision of dedicated park and ride facilities at railway stations is a matter for Irish Rail, and at Luas and proposed Metro sites it is a matter for the RPA. Local authorities also have a role in providing commuter park and ride facilities.

In the Greater Dublin Area, the TAS consultancy Report for the DTO indicated that overall bus-based park and ride has a limited role to play because of the population size and distances involved. However, the Report indicated that there is some potential for satellite park and ride facilities. The local authorities in the hinterland area of the Greater Dublin Area have been examining the potential of such satellite park and ride facilities, and while funding has been made available by my Department no proposals have been submitted by local authorities as yet. In at least one case, this is due to planning difficulties.

In Cork, one very successful park & ride has been developed on the southern side of the City. A proposal for a second park and ride is currently being actively developed by Cork City Council on the western side of the city. In Galway, Limerick, and Waterford the local authorities are continuing to examine the feasibility of permanent park & ride while a temporary Christmas park & ride is currently being operated by Galway City Council.

My Department makes funding available to local authorities for the development of park and ride facilities both in the Greater Dublin Area and in the regional cities and is prepared to provide capital support for such facilities on the basis of sound business plans from proposers for the projects.

I have no plans at this time for a review of park and ride provisions nationwide.