Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1852. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocation for Iarnród Éireann for 2017; and the projected funding allocation requirements in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [27475/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1853. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding requirement for Iarnród Éireann for each of the years 2017 to 2022. [27476/17]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1854. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding levels allocated for the public service obligation for Iarnród Éireann in each of the years 2010 to 2016; and the levels projected to be allocated for each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form. [27477/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1852 to 1854, inclusive, together.

The Deputy is aware that funding for Iarnród Éireann is provided under separate funding programmes. The Company receives current funding for rail services under the PSO funding programme and it also receives capital funding through the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC) and also through the NTA in relation to projects within the Greater Dublin Area.

The allocation for current funding (PSO) is subject to the annual Budgetary process. The Deputy is aware that funding has increased in recent years and in 2016 for example total funding provided to Iarnród Éireann under the PSO programme increased by approximately 13.5% when compared with 2015.  Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the allocation of PSO funding to individual operators is a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

The allocation under the IMMAC is subject to a multi-annual funding framework with the current framework ending in 2018 and its renewal will be subject to discussion and agreement between the Company and my Department.

In terms of likely future funding requirements for Iarnród Éireann, the Rail Review Report 2016 sets out a detailed overview of estimated funding requirements over the period 2016 to 2021. It highlights the considerable amount of taxpayer support currently provided to support the rail network and also provides an overview of the  estimated required amount of additional funding needed to support the network over that period. The NTA is currently finalising a report on the public consultation period it held in relation to the Rail Review. I understand that the consultation period elicited over 300 submissions.  Upon receipt and consideration of the NTA's consultation report, I hope to report to Government before the end of the year.