Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current timeline for announcing the preferred bidder for the DART expansion programme. [12376/21]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the business case for the DART expansion has been put to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and if not, when he expects it will be put forward. [12377/21]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected cost for the DART expansion programme. [12378/21]

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the DART expansion project been delayed due to Covid-19. [12379/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 to 31, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is likely aware, the Public Spending Codesets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.

The Codesets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these stages. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Preliminary Business Case" is the first stage where the Public Spending Codestipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In the case of the DART+ investment proposal, I understand that the Preliminary Business Case is currently at an advanced stage of development and the costs of the DART+ are being considered as part of this. In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, once the Preliminary Business Case has been approved by the National Transport Authority (NTA) it will be submitted to my Department for review and will also be subject to a technical review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.Following completion of that work, I will then bring the Preliminary Business Case to Government for its decision.

On the question of COVID-19 related delays, while there has obviously been disruption I understand that there have not been any particularly significant delays given that, essentially, the project is currently at the planning stage. I am aware that there is a tender evaluation process underway, but would note that its ultimate finalisation is linked to the finalisation and approval of the Preliminary Business Case, as is required under the Public Spending Code.