Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the €35 billion commitment for transport infrastructure made in 2021 as part of National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28208/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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An investment allocation of €35 billion was agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, as part of the revised National Development Plan in 2021, for the period 2021-2030, the highest amount ever allocated to transport. From this overall envelope, a total of €13 billion was allocated to the Department's Vote for the period 2021-2025, and set out in published capital ceilings.

This allocation has proven sufficient for investment requirements in the 2021-2024 period. In this period, the core capital allocation was also supplemented by some additional capital from the Shared Island Fund for cross border active travel, and EV infrastructure projects; and the EU Just Transition Fund for bus infrastructure in the midlands. For 2024, the Department forecasts that expenditure of a budget allocation of €2,679.450m will be on target, enabling transport plans across the country to be progressed and completed.

During the spring, the Department negotiated an additional share of capital from the Windfall Reserve Fund for the period 2025 and 2026. The capital ceiling set for 2025 is €2.850bn and for 2026 is €3.350bn. DPENDR have no immediate plans to negotiate further capital allocations in the period 2027-2030. Nonetheless, I am satisfied that the balance of the €35bn allocation will become available when it is required.

The envelope provides a degree of certainty in underpinning both protection and renewal requirements and new infrastructure projects. As the Deputy will be aware, major public transport projects are now in the process of exiting the planning system. In addition, major new road projects, including the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and the Adare bypass are steadily progressing towards construction phase.

The Department will keep DPENDR appraised of forecast capital requirements, to ensure that the quantum of capital is aligned with the pace and timing of projects as the pipeline of projects under the Department's remit move through the investment project lifecycle.

I am now happy to take any questions that the Deputy may have.