To ask the Minister for Transport if he report on the operation of the Railway Procurement Agency; the number and grades of staff employed; the source of their pay costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Joe Sherlock. (Nominated by: Róisín Shortall).
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 26th November, 2002.
Ref No: 23468/02 Lottery: 11 Proof: 63
Answered by Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan)
REPLY
The Railway Procurement Agency is an independent State agency established on
the 28th December 2001 under the provisions of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 to procure light rail and metro systems. Its main functions at present are to manage the construction and operation of Luas, to procure new light rail and metro services through a number of means including Public Private Partnership (PPP) and to introduce an integrated ticketing system for all public transport, initially in the Dublin area.
I have been advised by the Agency that 118 staff members are currently in its employment. The grade structure is a matter for the Agency in which I have no function.
The expenses of the Agency, including pay costs, are funded through allocations from the Estimates for my Department.
