80. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has conducted an analysis on the impact of traffic congestion on businesses across Dublin. [66603/26]

My Department has not conducted a specific analysis of the impact of traffic congestion on businesses across Dublin.

The Department of Transport has undertaken research on the wider economic costs of congestion in the Greater Dublin Area. Its report, The Economic Cost of Congestion in the Greater Dublin Area 2022–2040, indicates that congestion is expected to increase over the coming decades, driven by population and economic growth. The report also finds investment in transport infrastructure, planned over the coming decades, does lead to a reduction in the rate of increase in the cost of congestion. However, additional levels of modal shift to sustainable transport modes or reduction in transport demand would be required to reduce the increase in the cost of congestion. The analysis also models the impact of an alternative future scenario which considers a reduction in transport demand due to increased working from home, which also helps reduce the rate of growth in the cost of congestion.

Traffic congestion can generally affect businesses through longer and less predictable journey times, delayed deliveries and business travel, higher logistics costs, and difficulties for employees and customers accessing workplaces and commercial premises. These effects can reduce productivity and increase the cost of doing business.

Transport policy and the assessment of congestion costs are primarily matters for the Minister for Transport. My Department will continue to engage with the relevant Departments and agencies on issues affecting the business environment and competitiveness.