Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if European Union funding is available for the purchase of extra inter-city rail and Dublin area rapid transit rail cars for Iarnród Éireann. [16887/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland successfully applied for EU co-funding for railcars under the 2007-2013 BMW Regional Operational Programme 2007-13. In addition, co-funding is being provided under the Interreg IV A Programme for the refurbishment of the Enterprise cross-broder rolling stock, in co-operation with Northern Ireland Railways. ​However, I understand that similar funding is not available under the 2014-2020 round of EU co-funding.

In any event, even if EU co-funding was potentially available, the Exchequer would need to provide the vast majority of funding towards any purchase of new rolling stock. For example, with 10% EU co-funding, the Exchequer would need to fund the remaining 90%.

Under the current capital plan the key priority with the level of resources available is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. There is currently no Exchequer funding available to purchase new railcars.

However planning for the next capital plan to 2020 is underway and the question of funding for DART and intercity rail projects  will be considered having regard to priorities for funding across all transport sectors and the level of funding available.