in addition
Over €1.5 billion for national roads development
€45 million for the Irish coastguard and marine safety
€10 million for the Road Safety Authority to reduce the driving test backlog
€9 million to mainstream the Rural Transport Initiative
Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D. today (Friday 17 November) outlined plans for investment in transport for next year following the publication of the Government's Book of Estimates.
The 2007 Gross Estimate for the Department of Transport at €2.8 billion is an increase of 17% or €415 million on the 2006 Estimate. The Estimate also provides for a 21% increase next year in capital funding - from €1.8 billion to €2.2 billion for Transport 21, the Government's capital investment programme for transport from 2006 to 2015.
Speaking this morning, Minister Cullen said: "This Estimate allows for the continued high level of investment on the development of an integrated transport infrastructure as provided in Transport 21. It is clear evidence of the Government's commitment to the development of world-class transport services. Already, we can see our national road network being transformed as improved, safer roads make their way across the country. This further injection of funds allows us to move strongly forward with more delivery of projects in 2007. We will be investing more than a million euro extra in transport every single day next year, than we invested this year".
In relation to Public Transport, the additional capacity and increased frequency of services already in evidence as a result of the investment of almost €2.8 billion since 1999, will be further augmented by an investment of €777 million (or a 58% increase on the 2006 Estimate) in 2007. This funding will allow for the completion of the new Docklands Station - the first station to be built in the city centre of Dublin in over 100 years; the building of the Portlaoise traincare depot, which when complete, will maintain the fleet of 150 new intercity railcars currently being manufactured for Iarnrod Éireann and set for delivery in 2007. These new railcars will service Dublin-Westport/Ballina, Sligo, Galway, Tralee, Waterford and Rosslare. (New rail cars are already servicing the Dublin - Cork route). The €777 million will also allow for the DART refurbishment programme (which involves the upgrade of 76 DART cars). Planning and design will also be able to progress on the Clonsilla to Dunboyne section of the Navan line and the electrification of the Maynooth line. The Cork Commuter rail project is also expected to get underway - subject to the satisfactory outcome of the Railway Order process.
Funds under the Public Transport envelope will also allow work to commence on phase one of the Western Rail Corridor (Ennis to Athenry section) and the Kildare route project. A sum in excess of €104 million is to be spent on the Government's railway safety programme i.e. upgrading of level crossings and improvement work on bridges.
The 2007 provision will facilitate the continuation of progress on the Luas and Metro elements of Transport 21, including the commencement of construction on the Luas extension to Cherrywood and the Point Depot and for increased tram capacity on the Tallaght line.
In relation to buses, the Book of Estimates increase will pay for the recently-sanctioned extra buses for Dublin Bus (100) which will be delivered by the end of January. Bus Éireann is to be provided with 160 buses for delivery in 2007/2008.
The benefits of the road programme to date are evident throughout the country. Bottlenecks have been eliminated and substantial journey time-savings are being made. €1.5 billion will be invested next year in the National Roads Development Programme under Transport 21 - which is a 9% increase on the 2006 figure. Some of the national road projects to start in 2007 include the Clonee/South of Virginia Bypass (PPP); the Leixslip/ M50 Junction and the Ballinasloe Bypass (PPP). Road projects due for completion include the Kilkenny Ring Road Extension and the Castleblayney Bypass.
Some €28 million will go towards supporting the country's Regional Airports. This money will allow for capital expenditure projects and the annual subvention of operational expenditure on airport services.
The marine sector will be allocated almost €45 million in 2007. The Irish Coast Guard, which is responsible for search and rescue will receive the lion's share of that sum - €33 million. In addition, €8 million will be provided for maritime safety measures including grants to the Commissioners for Irish Lights and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. €4.2 million will be given to assist with the essential works underway to improve harbour facilities. In 2006, funding was allocated to harbour works at Sligo, Westport, River Moy, Tralee and Fenit. The funding of €4.2 million for 2007 will ensure the continuation of a similar programme of works.
€9 million is to be provided to mainstream the Government's Rural Transport Initiative from 2007. This nationwide rural transport scheme, managed by Pobal, - the non-profit organisation that supports social inclusion - has helped thousands of people to get by bus from isolated areas to local towns. It is to be made permanent in 2007.
Continued funding will be provided in 2007 for Transport Access for All, the Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005.
The Road Safety Authority was established on the 1 September last and has taken responsibility for a wide range of functions, which have a bearing on road safety. An additional sum of €10 million is being provided to the RSA to deal specifically with the driver test backlog. The Minister said: "I look forward to the waiting times falling to eight weeks in 2007 as a result of the increased funding which this Government has committed to this vital area".
Issued by:
Michelle Hoctor, 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan, 087 6430622
