Press release
Budget 2022 to help transform how we travel
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, and Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton TD, have welcomed the overall allocation of €3.4 billion next year for the Department of Transport. This year’s budget supports our goal of achieving cleaner, greener transport by 2030.
Investment in 2022 will support a wide range of sustainable mobility projects, including:
2022 spending will also include €36 million in supports for the aviation sector as part of the Regional Airports Programme and compensation for COVID-19 related damages, as well as a supplementary package in the 2021 budget of €90 million.
Speaking at today’s press conference, Minister Ryan said:
"Transport has a critical role to play in our daily lives, and how we travel has a direct bearing on our carbon emissions. By reorienting our investment towards walking and cycling, sustainable public transport in both urban and rural areas, and electric vehicles, we can make it easier for people to make changes that benefit us all. I’m particularly pleased that we’ll see major progress on greenways all over Ireland, that fully electric buses will hit the road in numbers, and that our big public transport schemes will go forward to planning. This is the start of an ambitious project to transform how we travel."
With particular reference to the Young Adult Card, Minister Ryan said:
"This exciting new initiative follows engagement with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, and with representatives from Comhairle na nOg, who first proposed the introduction of a youth card earlier this year. By giving all young people up to age 23 discounted public transport we’re hoping to build the habit of a lifetime."
Minister Naughton commented:
"The total aviation funding package of €126 million being announced today demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting our aviation sector as it emerges as one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic. Throughout 2022, we remain determined that aviation can build back stronger from the impacts of COVID-19:
"The money we have secured as part of Budget 2022 will allow us to sustainably connect more people with more places, strengthen communities across the country, and will contribute significantly to our nation's strategic connectivity. Capital funding of €561 million will allow the department to provide significant grant support for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads as well as supporting a number of significant construction starts, which will be to the benefit of all road users from a safety perspective."
Continuing, Minister Naughton said:
"2022 will see Government continue to invest almost €1 million per day in walking and cycling projects nationally, with a particular emphasis on safe infrastructure outside and on the lead up to schools allowing students to safely walk, cycle or scoot to school as part of their daily commute."
€1.8 billion for sustainable mobility, including active travel and greenways, public transport and carbon reduction programmes.
€360 million investment in nationwide walking and cycling infrastructure, including funding for greenways (€60 million) and the roll out of the Safe Routes to School Programme.
Key Cycling, Walking and Greenway infrastructure projects in 2022:
Key public transport projects in 2022 include:
An allocation of €539m will be made to Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the National Transport Authority. This includes €206m of COVID-19 emergency funding in 2022 to counter the continuing impacts of the pandemic on fare revenue across transport operators.
This includes investments in:
Over €100m is being provided towards making the switch to electric vehicles. Specifically grant support is being provided for the:
Approximately €1.37 billion is being provided for national, regional and local roads.
Circa €700 million of Exchequer capital funds will be allocated to national roads in 2022, including for the protection and renewal of existing roads, PPPs and the development of new projects.
The following new national road projects will be under construction next year, thereby progressing key objectives under revised new NDP:
€561 million is being provided in capital investment for regional and local roads. Funding provided in Budget 2022 will allow the department to continue to provide significant grant support for the regional and local road network protection and renewal programme.
Targeted improvement schemes will also be funded, including the Athy Southern Distributor Road scheme, the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor road, the Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 Upgrade scheme, the Tralee Northern Relief Road along with other projects at earlier planning / design stages.
A new €126m package is being provided in direct support to Aviation for the remainder of this year and 2022.
Funding of €36 million will be provided in 2022 to support regional airports through the Regional Airports Programme (RAP). It will deliver current and capital funding to support regional airports of Shannon, Cork, Ireland West, Donegal, and Kerry.
The RAP provides targeted funding through a number of capital and operational grant schemes for safety and security related projects and activities, sustainable projects, as well as providing the necessary funds to support Public Service Obligation air services between Donegal and Dublin.
Shannon and Cork airports are being admitted into the Regional Airports Programme, where they will receive support for safety and security related current expenditure. Support will also be provided for capital expenditure targeted at projects which support sustainability objectives, enabling these airports to identify and implement climate related efficiencies and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change.
Separately, Government approved additional funding of €90m in 2021 for our State airports, subject to State Aid approval. The purpose of this additional funding is to stimulate the restoration of air routes and competitiveness. Such a fund will provide flexibility to the airport authorities to provide route incentives and rebates on specific types of airport charges.
€108 million will be allocated in 2022 to maritime transport and safety as well as ongoing support to the Irish Coast Guard. In respect of the latter, funding will provide enhanced building and IT programmes as well as investment in the SAR service including training and equipment. In terms of maritime safety, it will provide support for Irish Lights, navigation aids and safety equipment.