Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1301. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposals for BRT between Swords and Dublin city centre in view of the recently announced MetroLink plans; if the BRT scheme will be progressed during the planning and construction phase of MetroLink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15985/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. This substantial multi-annual envelope includes funding of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to fundamentally transform our bus system, so that journeys for bus passengers will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable.

The recently launched National Development Plan also identifies the BusConnects programme as well as MetroLink as key public transport investment priorities for completion in the GDA over the period of the plan.

I wish to advise the Deputy, that work is ongoing on the redesign of the bus services network in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme.  When this work is complete, the National Transport Authority (NTA) will launch a number of public consultations over the coming months. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign and Core Bus Corridors routes.  Furthermore, integration between MetroLink and other modes of transport including BusConnects is a feature of the recent MetroLink public consultation material published by the NTA and TII.  

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's query to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.