Seán Kyne TD
Galway, Friday, 16th February ‘18
Project Ireland 2040 will help us to develop our country in a sensible and sustainable way
Seán Kyne, Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources and Fine Gael TD for Galway West and Mayo South has said Project Ireland 2040 is a comprehensive plan which will help us to develop our country in sensible and sustainable way.
Commented Minister Kyne: “Project Ireland 2040 contains both the National Planning Framework and the ten year National Development Plan through which €115 billion will be invested in vital infrastructure.
“The National Planning Framework has been shaped by extensive public consultation and I am very encouraged to see many of the recommendations I made in my submission and in meetings and discussions with ministers and policy-makers in the final Plan.
“The National Planning Framework will help us encourage and stimulate sensible growth in our cities and urban centres and it will help us to support and sustain vibrant communities across rural Ireland.
“Project Ireland 2040 is the first time that we have an investment plan underpinned by a strategic planning framework. In Galway and the West Project Ireland 2040 will enhance regional connectivity and competitiveness, improve environmental sustainability and build a fairer, more equal Ireland where everyone has the opportunity to live in a strong community and reach their full potential.
“Project Ireland 2040 sets out a target for Galway to grow by at least 50% by 2040 with corresponding growth in the county and the West. Among the projects and initiatives for Galway are:
· Galway City Ring Road
· Moycullen N59 Bypass
· BusConnects Galway – a €200 million project for public transport
· Investment in Healthcare including –o A new emergency department to be built UHG.
o A new oncology centre for UHG
o New dedicated elective-only hospital facilities to be introduced at Merlin Park
o New ambulance base for Galway at Merlin Park – construction to start in 2019
o New patient accommodation to be provided at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.· €15 million investment for Galway European City of Culture 2020
· Investment in Ros an Mhíl – one of the six main fisheries harbour centres
· Galway’s towns and villages to benefit from the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
· Investment in the pier infrastructure at Inis Oirr and new co-op and community facilities on Inis Meáin
· Establishment of the Connacht Ulster Alliance Technological University of GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT.
· New student residences and campus upgrades at NUIG
“The Atlantic Economic Corridor features prominently in Project Ireland 2040. The AEC initiative which is one of my responsibilities at Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community, will develop and maximise infrastructure, talent and enterprise assets along the western seaboard, to create economic hubs and clusters from Kerry to Galway to Donegal.
“Project Ireland 2040 is for everyone and will help to manage and grow the development of our country in a sensible and sustainable way for this generation and for future generations.”
Ends…
Note – Project Ireland 2040 for the West of Ireland
Project Ireland 2040 seeks to enhance regional connectivity and competitiveness, improve environmental sustainability and build a fairer, more equal Ireland where everyone has the opportunity to live in a strong community and reach their full potential.
Project Ireland 2040 sets out its vision for balanced regional growth. A key pillar of this vision is the sustainable development of cities outside Dublin. As one of these cities, Galway is well placed to benefit from Project Ireland 2040. It sets out a target for Galway to grow by at least 50% by 2040. There are a number of measures in the plan which enhance Galway’s significant potential to become a city of scale.
Galway City will continue to play a key role in driving the West, with a greater focus on a more compact, public transport centred approach to development and addressing the issues of congestion that have developed as part of its economic success.
The emerging Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) initiative will be supported through Project Ireland 2040. The AEC is a linear network from Kerry to Limerick, Clare and Galway, through the heart of this region to Mayo, Sligo and through to Donegal, the objective of which is to maximise infrastructure, talent and enterprise assets along the western seaboard, to create economic hubs and clusters.
Selected highlights for Galway
Galway City Ring Road
Galway City and County Councils have established that there is a need to provide relief from traffic congestion in order to implement smarter mobility and public transport measures.
The proposed N6 Galway City Ring Road project is being developed to achieve this. The project is currently at Design and Environmental Assessment Phase.
N59 Moycullen Bypass
This scheme provides a bypass of Moycullen. The proposed scheme will reduce congestion in Moycullen, provide a safer route with better journey time certainty and will improve access to the West and in particular Connemara.
BusConnects Galway
Galway BusConnects (Estimated cost €200m, estimated completion date 2027) will deliver a rationalised network of five high-performing cross-city routes. All routes will serve major city centre trip attractors as well as linking all major destinations across the city. Galway BusConnects will comprise the same elements as Dublin BusConnects.
As part of the programme delivery, a network of park & ride sites, serviced by the more efficient bus network, will be put in place.
Investment in Health Services
Health investment projects in the West include the development of primary care centres and the upgrading and replacement of community nursing units across the western region.
Plans are in place under Project Ireland 2040 for:
· A new emergency department to be built at Galway University Hospital.
· Replacement and further radiation oncology facilities to be developed at Galway.
· New dedicated ambulatory elective-only hospital facilities to be introduced in Galway.
· New patient accommodation to be provided at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
Galway European City of Culture 2020
The Government committed in principle to provide €15m to the project. The theme of Galway 2020 is Making Waves. The year-long programme is designed to make waves across the whole of Ireland and Europe and to celebrate new voices, young voices, and traditions, both new and old.
Fisheries Harbour Centres (FHCs) – Rossaveel
Investment programme across all six FHCs encompassing ongoing safety and maintenance and necessary new developments the FHCs
This is required to provide suitable, safe, efficient and hygienic facilities to further develop a modern offshore Irish fishing fleet and and increase landings into our Fishery Harbour Centres.
Social Housing
Of the 900 additional social housing units in current delivery, specific examples include projects at a new build and refurbishment project covering 60 houses at Gilmartin Road in Tuam, 27 new homes at Ballinasloe, 14 at Claregalway, around 90 subject to planning permission at Ballymoneen Road in Galway City
Rural Regeneration and Development
Investment projects in towns and villages of less than 10,000 in Galway will be in a position to benefit from a new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which will invest €1bn in promoting rural renewal, to help towns, villages and rural areas to grow in a sustainable way.
Investment in National Heritage
Project Ireland will see a €285 million investment in our national heritage. This includes Coole Park and Connemara National Park in Co. Galway.
Gaeltacht Investment
Project Ireland supports Gaeltacht areas across the country, for example by prioritising investment in the development of tourism facilities in Ceantar na nOileán in the Connemara Gaeltacht and increased investment to enable the creation of 1,000 jobs every year in Gaeltacht areas across the country including Galway.
Investment in the Aran Islands
The development, in conjunction with the local authority, of improved pier infrastructure on Inis Oírr and the construction of new co-operative offices and community facilities on Inis Meáin.
Funding for Greenways up to 2028 based on Greenways Strategy
Completion of the Kildare and Meath sections of the Galway to Dublin Greenway in 2018/2019. Greenways can have a significant impact on the area in which they are located through increased tourism and local business opportunities.
Establishment of the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) consortium
Consisting of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Institute of Technology Sligo, and Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
NUIG
New student residences, completion of the Human Biology building and other campus upgrades.
Seán Kyne TD
Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Pobail, Acmhainní Nádúrtha agus Forbairt Digiteach
Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development
TD for Gaillimh Thiar/Maigh Eo Theas – Galway West/Mayo South
Oifigí Dáilcheantair/Constituency Offices:
Bóthar an Spidéil, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe/Spiddal Road, Moycullen, Co. Galway. J91 TY84
Bohermore, Galway. H91 K8X8
Constituency Offices: 091 868 111
Mobile: 087 613 7372
Web: www.seankyne.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeanKyneTD
Twitter: @SeanKyneTD
Seán Kyne TD is a Designated Public Offi
