Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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639. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services in particular the proposed Blanchardstown to University College Dublin route; when the service will become operational; if a final route has been chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.

The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 was approved by my predecessor, Minister Donohoe, in February 2016. It includes proposals for two specific bus rapid transit (BRT) schemes, Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght.  As required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act, 2008, the NTA is now drawing up an integrated implmentation plan to outline how it will go about delivering upon the Strategy's objectives over the first 6 year period within the Strategy's overall 20-year horizon. This implementation plan will be subject to a consultation period and will then be submitted by the NTA for my approval before the end of the year.

Funding is being made available for initial planning and design work for the Blanchardstown to UCD and Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT schemes under the Government's Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021'. I understand from the NTA that they are currently finalising tender documents to progress the design and planning of the Blanchardstown to UCD scheme and the route option selection for the Clongriffin to Tallaght BRT scheme.

Implementation of these schemes will be progressed on an incremental basis in accordance with available funding.