Budget allocated for Transport 21 public awareness projects

Date: 01 May 2008

Dáil Question
Nos: _94 & 97

*To ask the Minister for Transport the budget allocated for all Transport 21 public awareness projects; the final projected cost of the current campaign and any other proposed campaigns for Transport 21 awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Fergus O'Dowd.

*To ask the Minister for Transport the amount being spent on the current Transport 21 campaign; the duration of the campaign; the purpose of the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Olwyn Enright

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Noel Dempsey TD)

REPLY

I propose to take Questions 94 and 97 together.

Transport 21 represents the largest capital investment commitment ever made by Government to the development of transport infrastructure in this country. The projects comprising Transport 21 will greatly improve our national roads and public transport system over the ten year period to 2015, involving a total investment of €34 billion.

Given the scale and reach of Transport 21 I consider it essential that the general public and all interested parties are made aware of the programme and of the many transport improvements that are already being delivered.

Therefore, as part of a wider information and communications strategy and following a public procurement process, my Department engaged the services of consultants to undertake a media advertising campaign to raise public awareness of Transport 21. The campaign involves television, radio, press and outdoor advertising and I envisage that it will be necessary to continue to provide information and awareness to the public and all interested parties for the duration of the Transport 21.

The budget allocated for 2008 for this campaign is €2.9 million and the project is progressing within this budget.