Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the transport improvements planned for County Donegal over the next ten years; if these plans will address areas along the Wild Atlantic Way in view of increasing tourist numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39249/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As part of the Capital Plan a roads programme totalling €6bn is now proposed over the period 2016-2022.  This plan was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investment.  As maintenance and renewal of the road network continues to be the main priority, €4.4 billion of the road capital budget will be spent on such essential work with targeted investment in new schemes across the country.  The Plan has identified, for example, a rolling programme on the N56 as a priority under the Plan.

The Government remains supportive of the A5 project, the timeframe for which is dependent on planning issues which are currently being addressed by the Northern authorities.  

The key priority for investment in heavy rail is to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. There is currently no Exchequer funding available to re-open rail lines, or to develop new lines, either for passengers or freight, anywhere on the heavy rail network.

Over the period of the Capital Plan capital funding for land transport, including roads, will be built up from the current relatively low base towards the levels needed to support adequate maintenance and development.