Transport dept unveils spending plans

The Department of Transport has revealed its spending plans for the €3.8 billion it was allocated in yesterday's Budget.

A total of €1.3 billion has been earmarked for public transport spending, while €2.3 billion has been set aside for investment in national and non-national roads.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the public transport allocation will be used to fund extensions to Dublin's Luas light railway; for planning and design work on Dublin's proposed Metro systems and Navan rail line; and for work on the Kildare route project, the Western Rail Corridor and the Cork-Middleton rail line.

He said the €2.3 billion fund for road building will be used to improve the major inter-urban routes. Up to six more national roads schemes will begin in 2008. Work will continue on the M50 and barrier-free tolling on the Westlink will be completed, Mr Dempsey said.

The department has also set aside €40 million to fund the Road Safety Authority. Of this, €11.4 million has been ring-fenced to fund improvements to the driving test system.

Mr Dempsey today repeated his promise to cut driving-test waiting lists to ten weeks by next June. A further €5.9 million will be spent on road safety campaigns.

The Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Safety Division have been granted some €48 million to improve and modernise their services. A further €3.8 million will be spent on remedial works for regional harbours.

The total allocation is an increase of €1 billion on the 2007 figure.

"This record funding will allow me to continue to roll out our ambitious public transport projects and our plans in the area of national roads infrastructure," Mr Dempsey said.

"This Government is determined to deliver Transport 21 projects on time and in budget."