Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to conduct a business case review into the BusConnects project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44511/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is 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 €100 million, Government approval is required at these Decision Gates. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle" is the first stage where the Public Spending Codestipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has submitted BusConnects's Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Codestipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.