Written answers

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Traffic Management

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action being taken to reduce traffic congestion in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39239/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and public transport services in the Greater Dublin Area, which in combination enable it to tackle congestion within available resources. The current capital investment works being undertaken by the NTA is set out in their statutory Integrated Implementation Plan 2013 – 2018.  Some of the key projects in that Plan, and which are currently being delivered, include the Luas Cross City , Phoenix park Tunnel and the City Centre Re-signalling project and bus fleet investment  to enhance the quality of public transport services.

Additionally, the NTA’s Sustainable Transport Measures Grant Programme supports a wide range of projects in the Greater Dublin Area. The bulk of the funding is allocated to traffic management projects that support the development and implementation of sustainable transport modes such as cycling, walking and public transport. Local authorities are responsible for implementation of the projects in accordance with relevant statutory processes

In 2014 expenditure under the Programme amounted to €30.5 million, supporting the development of approximately 200 projects.

I would also refer to the Dublin City Centre Transport Study which was undertaken jointly by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council.  It sets out various proposals to enable the City Centre to accommodate the increase in commuters travelling into the City Centre each morning by 2023, while facilitating the operation of Luas Cross City and enhancing the overall environment of the City Centre for visitors, shoppers, residents and workers. The study covered all modes of transport – walking, cycling, public transport, car – and it also considered how opportunities to improve the appearance of the city could be provided by reconfiguration of street space on certain streets.

The current position is that the submissions received in response to the public consultation on the City Centre Study, totalling almost 7,800, and which include numerous submissions in relation to College Green, are being assessed at present by Dublin City Council in conjunction with NTA.

Finally I should add that Integration measures continue to be progressed such as real time passenger information, Leap card, the National Journey Planner and WiFi. that are designed to encourage public transport use and  reduce reliance on the private car.

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