Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a rapid transit public transport solution in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The issue of a rapid transit public transport system for Cork city and surrounding satellite towns was examined in the Cork Public Transport Feasibility Study, (renamed the Cork Area Transit System - CATS study), funded by my Department, which assessed a range of corridors in the Cork metropolitan area. One of the study's main findings was that only one corridor, a west-east corridor from Ballincollig to Mahon via the city centre, has the potential passenger flows of sufficient magnitude to justify a rapid transit public transport solution and is therefore the corridor recommended.

The National Transport Authority is currently examining the recommendations of the study, as requested by my Department, in consultation as necessary with other appropriate bodies with a view to assessing and prioritising future public transport options for the Cork region, having regard to the current difficult budgetary position. Some of the Cork study's recommendations are already being funded under the Regional Cities Bus Priority and Park and Ride Programme, administered by the authority, for which an overall allocation of €5.5 million has been provided in 2011 to the four regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The Cork region has received €30.15 million under this programme since 2006. Cork City Council has been allocated €1.2 million in 2011, comprising €900,000 for the Ballincollig Green Route, and €300,000 for the Carrigrohane Park and Ride facility.