Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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610. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects that will be funded from the €3.6 billion earmarked for public transport in the Exchequer capital transport envelope 2016-2021; and the amount that will be used to enhance public transport outside County Dublin and specifically in Cork city and county. [21677/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The focus of the €3.6 billion investment in the Public Transport Capital Programme over the 7-year period of the Government's Capital Plan, particularly in the early years of the Plan, is on achieving essential steady state maintenance of our public transport network to ensure that it remains safe and fit for purpose. It is not possible to draw a clear line between investments in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and outside of the GDA in all cases. Approximately €1.3bn of the overall funding for public transport over the period of the Plan is required for maintenance of the heavy rail network which benefits all areas of the network both within and outside the GDA. A further €250m approximately is provisionally allocated for other improvements to the heavy rail network. While this includes almost €70m for phase one of the DART expansion programme and €30m for other heavy rail projects in the GDA, over €150m is allocated for the City Centre Re-signalling project, development of the Central Traffic Control Centre and ticketing programmes which will deliver benefits across the whole rail network.

The light rail network in Dublin, including completion of Luas Cross City, and new Metro North will receive approximately €1bn over the period of the Plan.

Over €800m is provisionally allocated for development of the bus system throughout the country. This includes fleet replacement and enlargement programmes for the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets, as well as bus network infrastructure development in the GDA and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Funding is also provided to continue development and further roll-out of the Leap Card Scheme over the period of the Plan. The scheme is now available in the regional cities and the GDA and is being rolled out nationally on a gradual basis. The Plan also provides over €70m for sustainable transport projects in the regional cities and accessibility programmes.

A mid-term review of the Capital Plan is underway and I will be seeking to improve the funding available for public transport in order to meet increasing demand, tackle congestion in the GDA and in our regional cities in particular.