TRANSPORT MINISTER SAYS PRIORITIES MUST BE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS & VALUE FOR MONEY

The Minister for Transport, Séamus Brennan T.D. said today (Thursday,

13^th November 2003) that the historically high level of investment in major infrastructure is being maintained by the Government and next year almost

€1.3 billion-over €100 million each month - will be poured into the construction of motorways and dual carriageways.

Minister Brennan made his comments when announcing that the 2004 Estimate of Expenditure for the Department of Transport will be €2.007 billion, an increase of 2% above the comparable 2003 Estimate when adjustments are made in the public transport estimates.

The Minister also said that he is confident of finalising soon an agreed guaranteed financial package for the major road construction programme that will commit investment of more than €6 billion over the next five years.

Minister Brennan said: The Estimates allow for historically high levels of investment in transport to be maintained. Investment in the roads programme, at  €1.28 billion, is almost four times what was being spent six years ago. Since 2000 we have completed almost 270 km of high quality roads. At present there is a further 160km under construction and projects totalling 131km are at the tender stage and most will begin next year.

The Minister added: When adjustments are made for the public transport spending estimate the Departments overall estimate shows an increase of 2%. As we increase spending on capital projects I am fully determined that we get greater certainty of output and value for taxpayers money.

The Minister announced that:

• Over €1.2 billion more than half the entire Estimate for his Department next year-will be invested in up to 27 major road projects.
• The total allocation for public transport is €646 million and will include

        -         €366 million investment in capital funding which will   allow  for the significant progress already underway to be maintained.

        -         Over €260 million in subvention-an increase of 6% on 2003-to the CIE companies, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, to continue to upgrade the quality and frequency of services.

Roads

The provision of €1.227 billion for the National Roads Development Programme maintains Exchequer investment in this major infrastructure programme.  It is building on the progress being made this year when 11 major projects, consisting of 82 kms, are completed and opened to traffic. These include the M1 Motorway, the Kildare By Pass, Glen of the Downes, Watergrasshill By Pass and the Youghal By Pass. 

The 2004 provision of €1.227bn will fund:-

• 15 projects underway or due to get underway before the end of this year-

• the commencement of work during 2004 on another 11 projects.

• the ongoing programme of safety measures, pavement improvement and safety bridge strengthening works throughout the national road network.
• the provision of €53 million for maintenance of the National Roads Network will ensure a good programme of work in maintaining surface quality

The high level of Exchequer investment will be supplemented in 2004 by private sector investment of over €185 million in PPP schemes Kilcock/Kinnegad and Dundalk Western By-Pass.

Public Transport

There will be significant improvements in public transport services in 2004 as the benefits from the huge investment undertaken since 1999 - over €1 billion - will be clearly seen in terms of additional capacity and increased frequency of services.

The total allocation for Public Transport for 2004 is €646 million. 

Of this, €366 million is capital funding and another €37 million is funding from EU, bringing the total capital investment in public transport to over €400million. 

Over €260 million subvention to the CIE companies an increase of 6%. This will allow the operating companies, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to continue to upgrade the quality and frequency of services to attract higher numbers to public transport. The signing earlier this year by the Department of Service Level Agreements with the three companies commits them to meeting higher standards of performance criteria from 2004. 

The coming into service of all 80 new diesel rail cars for Iarnrod Éireann will see a significant increase in capacity and frequency of services on the peak commuter services in Greater Dublin Area and Cork and Limerick.

Delivery of 40 DART cars will commence in 2004.  When all 40 railcars go into service DART passenger carrying capacity will have increased by 100% since 2000. All DART trains will increase from six to eight carriages.

To further support the bus as a preferred mode of transport,  €40m has been allocated to traffic management grants in the Dublin Area and the amount being spent on Quality Bus Corridors has been doubled to €35m. In addition, funding is being made available to Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford for their QBC systems.

€187.5m for Public Transport Safety and Development. Approximately €37 million in EU funds will be provided for CIE public transport improvements, DART upgrade and rolling stock, purchase of intercity carriages and rolling stock for the suburban rail network.  The reconvened high-level task force on rail safety is currently completing its report and its recommendations will form the basis of the 2004 safety programme.

A provision of €125 million for the capital costs of the Luas light rail system which will commence passenger services from mid-2004. LUAS will provide additional capacity of  15,000 passengers during peak times with journey times of 42 minutes from Tallaght to the Connolly Station Interchange and of 22 minutes from Sandyford to the city centre.

Funding has been allocated for the introduction of Integrated Ticketing, which is under development at the moment, and is due to commence next year.

An allocation of €2.8 million to the National Safety Council to continue to promote road safety through promotional campaigns, and the advancement of education in this area.

Funding will also be made for accessibility projects, the rural public transport initiative, interchange development and research into public transport.

Regional Airports

A sum of €22.5 million is being provided for regional airports.  Subvention of the PSO Air Service Programme, which facilitates air access between Dublin and the areas served by the regional airports; and marketing, safety and security measures undertaken by the six regional airports during the year will cost in the region of €20 million in 2004. Of this, €2.5 million is being allocated in capital under the NDP to help to fund improvement and upgrading of facilities, to maintain continued safety and viable operations at the regional airports.

ENDS

Further information:   

Tom Rowley              (01) 6041089   087 8124723

Veronica Scanlan      (01) 6041087   087 6430622

See table below: