Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2025
262. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34101/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the above question which I wish to address jointly, alongside PQ No. 32687/25 for which you received a holding reply. That PQ asked "the Minister for Transport to detail which transport infrastructure projects are currently late in their delivery and which transport infrastructure projects are currently over budget".
My understanding is that the reference to projects being commissioned refers to projects which are at the design and planning phase, but for which construction tenders have not yet been signed. As you will be aware, a key part of the process of design and planning involves scoping the complexity of projects via detailed project appraisal.
The Infrastructure Guidelines, which are available on the Department of Public Expenditure's website set out the steps to be taken during the project life cycle. These can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/infrastructure-guidelines/.
As per the guidelines, the project sponsoring authority must seek approval from the approving authority at three key points, Approval Gate 1, 2 and 3:
• Approval Gate 1 consists of a review of the strategic assessment and preliminary business case. At this point approval may be given for a project to proceed to pre-tender - project design, planning and a procurement strategy.
• Approval Gate 2 consists of a review of the detailed business case and procurement strategy. At this point approval be be given for a project to to proceed to tender.
• Approval Gate 3 consists of a review of the final business case and the tendering process. At this point, the Approving Authority may decide to give the Sponsoring Authority approval to proceed with the project.
The timelines in reaching Gate 3 and receiving approval to proceed are contingent on all the factors that may be identified during the strategic assessment, scoping, preliminary and detailed analysis, planning, legal and any other issues that may be identified during the project development stages leading up to Gate 3 Approval. As a result, delivery timelines in reaching this point are indicative and not contractually binding.
Once a project has been given approval to proceed and contracts have been signed, the project will be accompanied by a specific budget and timelines. The budget will typically contain an element of contingency to manage risk.
To view projects at various stages of the project lifecycle, the NDP Project Tracker and Interactive Map is available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/myprojectireland-interactive-map-and-tracker/
In relation to projects where contracts have been signed and construction is underway, with associated assigned budgets and delivery dates, I have requested that Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority respond to you directly. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please contact my Private Office.
