Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for public transport in the Dublin area in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38698/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

The NTA’s Integrated Implementation Plan 2013-2018 sets out a programme of investment and development in the GDA for the next five years based on the priorities and funding set out in the  capital plan to 2016 and  on an indicative allocation for 2017 and 2018. This plan will be updated when a revised capital plan is finalised.

My Department currently provides in the region of €150 million annually  to the NTA to support public transport improvements in the GDA.  This funds light rail improvements,  of which the current  priority is the delivery of Luas Cross City,  heavy rail enhancements such as the  city centre re-signalling project, level crossing removals on the Maynooth line, automatic ticketing machines and other  station improvements, purchase of replacement  buses and the provision and upgrading of bus stops and bus shelters; development of quality bus corridors, cycling routes , pedestrian crossings, safety improvements; and  the continued development and rollout of a range of integration measures such as the Leap Card ,real time passenger information and journey planner.

Funding is also provided for ongoing research and planning for future requirements. This  includes planning for the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel link, for design of a possible Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Network and a review of existing large projects postponed in recent years.

These  reviews include a technical consultancy (Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study) to assess the rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords and  the updating of the 2010 DART Underground business case. The NTA advise that these  will be available  early next year.  In addition I expect to have a report and business case for  the Swords/Airport BRT proposal.  

I will then consider the options for addressing key public transport deficits in the GDA having regard to the outcome of the reviews as regards costs and benefits, affordability, and funding options with a view to finalising a position by mid-2015.

The key priority over the coming years is to protect investment made to date and to maintain safety standards. If additional funds are available, which is not certain, there will be many competing projects from all transport modes in all regions.  I will prioritise any additional funds for projects for which there is a clear need, which are affordable, have a sound business case and add value to existing infrastructure.