Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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628. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any application for EU funding relating to the development of the rail network; the detail of any such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42370/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Trans European Network–Transport (Ten-T) 2007-2013, €9.4m has been allocated for expenditure on the Planning & Design phase of the Tunnel element of the DART Underground programme. Three applications relating to the rail network were submitted by my Department this year under the Ten-T 2012 Calls. I understand that the application in respect of the Studies element for the next phase of the City Centre Re-signalling Project has been successful. Formal confirmation of this Decision is expected to be published shortly by the Ten-T Executive Agency. The two unsuccessful applications related to the preliminary planning for the new Centralised Traffic Control Centre and the works to remove the Level Crossing at Reilly's Crossing on the Dublin to Maynooth railway line. Competition for funding under the 2012 calls was very high with 4.25 times the budget being applied for through the Multi Annual Call and for the Annual Call the budget was oversubscribed by 2.09 times.

It is expected that a further Call will be announced in December 2013 and my Department will engage again with its agencies to examine the scope for submitting further applications.

In addition to Ten -T funding, €18.15 million in co-funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2007-2013 has been allocated in respect of two rail projects in the BMW region, namely for the elimination of speed restrictions and new rolling stock.