Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Capital Plan 2016-2021, specifically with regard to metro north, the DART extension and DART underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13997/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Government's Capital Plan allocates just over €3.6 billion for investment in public transport for the period 2016 to 2022.  Over this period, 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, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand.   

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA. The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades. 

The GDA Strategy proposes implementation of the new Metro North project.  It also proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme including construction of the DART Underground Tunnel.  The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present.

The NTA is currently in the process of preparing an Implementation Plan for the delivery of the GDA 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 Capital Plan includes funding for the new Metro North project to enable construction of the link to commence in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/2027.  Due to continuing constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan.  Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel. 

The Deputy will be aware that 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. I will be making the case for increased capital funding for public transport in that context.