John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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705. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the National Transport Authority's implementation of its published transport strategy for the GDA in view of the continued increasing traffic congestion in Dublin; if he is further satisfied that the strategy is suitable and appropriate to meet the needs of an expanding city and county; his views on whether the strategy needs to be reviewed or priority given to implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3817/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) over the next two decades.  The need to address urban congestion was a key element in the development of the strategy.  The NTA is currently in the process of preparing an Implementation Plan for the delivery of the strategy for the period 2017-2022.  Key to implementation over this period is the capital funding that will be available for investment in public transport infrastructure over the period.  The Public Transport Investment Programme has a capital budget of €345 million in 2017.  This includes funding for ongoing maintenance of the heavy rail network but also includes funding for capacity enhancements to our public transport system including completion of the Luas Cross City Project which will provide an additional 10m passenger journeys annually, renewal and replacement of the PSO bus fleet and other improvements to the bus and rail networks to improve efficiency and capacity.  Over the period of the Capital Plan, the level of annual funding for public transport investment will increase to more than €800m by 2022.  This will facilitate a significant upgrade to the public transport system in the GDA so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand which would otherwise be detrimental to competitiveness, economic growth and quality of life.  Construction of a metro link between the city centre, Dublin Airport and Swords will commence around 2021 so as to be operational around 2026/27.  The upgrade will also include further progress in the DART expansion programme including, in particular, the extension of the Dart to Balbriggan.

As the Deputy is aware, the Government is embarking on a Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, which will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, including in the transport sector, taking economic growth and fiscal progress into account and I will be making the case for increased capital funding for public transport in that context.