[dropcap]Department [/dropcap]of Transport, Tourism and Sport was allocated €1.26 billion from the Budget 2019.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe allocated this capital expenditure over 2018-2021.
“Today, I am announcing that €286 million of this will be made available next year and will facilitate investment in new transport infrastructure,” said Donohoe in his Budget 2019 announcement.
He stated that this will be designated to the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin and the Dunkettle Interchange route in addition with the completion of the runaway overlay at Knock Airport.
There will be a 1 per cent surcharge on diesel across all VRT brands. This is an extra fee charged if a customer pays with a cheque, credit card or debit card.
It will no longer be possible to purchase diesel only buses after July.
€40 million is being designated to the repair of pavements and potholes as well as “rehabilitation works on regional and local roads.”
The Labour Party tweeted that there was “no sign of €25 million per year over 5 years” which they stated would “make all public transport train stations bus stops, buses & trams wheelchair accessible.”
This was a proposal in Labour’s alternative budget.
Budget 2019 offers VRT relief for relief for hybrid vehicles. This will be reviewed at the end of 2019.
Pedestrian’s and cyclists will also benefit as some of this money will go towards designing and developing nationwide cycling and walking projects.
VAT for the hospitality sector will rise to 13.5 per cent on January 1st 2019. This will raise €455 million for the Exchequer.
An additional €35 million is allocated specifically toward the Department of transport, Tourism and Sport. The Wild Atlantic Way is set to benefit from this money specifically.
By Cáit Caden
Image by Alison Clair