136. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the establishment of a Strategic Integrated Transportation Office in Cork city. [67327/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of transformative transport projects in planning and delivery across Cork City. These include the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, BusConnects Cork, Luas Cork and the Northern Distributor Road. I agree with the Deputy on the importance of ensuring effective integration across this investment portfolio.

I am pleased to note that there is already a significant level of coordination and co-location between the various transport agencies involved in the delivery of these projects. In terms of co-location, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is being delivered by Iarnród Éireann from its office on Horgan's Quay Cork. This building also houses NTA and TII staff, who are the sponsoring agencies for BusConnects Cork and Luas Cork respectively.

In addition to being the sponsoring agency for BusConnects Cork, the NTA also performs an important coordinating and funding role as the day-to-day Approving Authority for these schemes. The co-location of the agencies involved, alongside the NTA's oversight role, supports close collaboration and helps to ensure that these major transport investments are planned and delivered in a coordinated and integrated manner.

To further strengthen the integration arrangements, it is intended to establish a specific coordination forum between each of the project agencies and the City Council, given its role in facilitating the delivery of the projects across the city.

Lastly, it is intended to explore whether the City Council should establish a special unit, funded through the NTA, to provide the necessary personnel to undertake the Council’s work across the transport schemes.