Public transport is get a 23 per cent increase in funding for public transport investment projects in this year’s budget.
A total of £65 million is being added to the £288m outlined in the Estimates two weeks ago. Overall, the Exechequer is to invest £333 million in public transport next year as opposed to £270 million this year.
In addition, a further £22 million is under discussion with the EU with a decision on this extra funding expected before the end of the year.
"This funding is separate to the Exechequer subvention to CIE to pay for its day-to day running costs," the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms Mary O’ Rourke said.
"The subvention for 2001 is being increased by an additional £16 million by way of a Supplementary Estimate which brings its total for this year to £175 million.
"The extra funding will meet additional costs arising from the expansion of public transport."
The funding will be spent on new mainline rail carriages, additional DART cars, new suburban diesel rail cars and provincial and city buses.
CIÉ has also welcomed the extra funding. It said with the extra funding it would be able to continue investing in its Safety Improvement Programme and to extend its suburban and intercity services.
Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus will also be given new buses and will upgrade many of its facilities at stations.