Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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224. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to evaluate the transport system, road and rail, public and private to ensure the development of efficient and effective transport in all areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52456/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year Government launched Project Ireland 2040 which sets out both the planned spatial development and investment framework for the coming years.

Within that framework, Government has committed to major investments in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport network. These investments reflect the needs which have been identified by my Department and its various agencies, during the development of Project Ireland 2040.  

The investment committed to within the National Development Plan will result in the delivery of a number of significant projects and programmes, such as -

- The BusConnects programme of improved bus services and infrastructure in all major cities, including significantly enhanced cycling facilities also;

- The MetroLink; and

- The DART Expansion programme.

Those projects and programmes will be complemented by other planned investments, such as the significantly enhanced funding allocated toward the heavy rail network nationally, the development of a new National Train Control Centre, the roll-out of strategic cycle networks in the major cities and a programme of investment in national and regional roads as detailed within the National Development Plan.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that my Department is currently conducting two further pieces of analyses -

1. a review of public transport policy, as committed under the Programme for a Partnership Government; and

2. the Planning Land Use and Transport - Outlook 2040 (or PLUTO 2040) study, which forms part of my Department’s response to Project Ireland 2040.

Both of these work-streams will be subject to public consultation in 2019 and will be a very useful addition to our evaluation of the transport needs of the country.

In addition to this Department-led work, each of the three regional assemblies is currently developing a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy to support delivery of the National Planning Framework. Development of these strategies includes an evaluation of the needs of the transport network in each region and outlining potential developments to improve performance.

Finally, at a metropolitan level there are transport strategies either in place, as in the case of Dublin and Galway, or under development, as in the case of Cork and Limerick, which detail the planned development of transport networks in the relevant urban areas over the next 20 to 30 years.

As the Deputy can see, a significant amount of analysis has been completed, and is continuing, in order to ensure we plan appropriately for the delivery of the transport infrastructure and services required in the coming years.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which commuter rail services are available to the majority of towns and villages throughout the country, the residents of which may commute to larger centres with obvious greater job opportunities on a daily basis; if the existing services are adequately tailored to meet their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52457/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann 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.