Councillors approve €619m Capital Programme

The three-year rolling programme runs from 2020 to 2022 across seven divisions and represents a €30.63m increase on the 2019-2021 Capital Programme and a 91% increase on the €324m provided for in the 2017-2019 Capital Programme.

A total of 236 projects are included with an estimated spend of €187m in 2020. The following year, 2021, capital expenditure will be in the region of €233m with €209m earmarked for 2022.

Fingal County Council Interim Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Given Fingal’s importance to the national economy and the Greater Dublin region, it is important that our capital budget is spent strategically, and I believe we have achieved this in our 2020-2022 Capital Programme. There is a strong emphasis on housing and infrastructure as well as economic and community development while our commitment to Climate Change is reflected in the continued roll-out of LED Street lighting, Electric Vehicle Charging Points and increased cycling infrastructure.”

Almost half of the Capital Programme will be spent on housing as the Council continues its commitment to fully engage with the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Over €94m has been earmarked for housing in 2020 with €208m due to be spent over the following two years.

Planning and Strategic Infrastructure projects, such as the Snugborough Road Interchange in Dublin 15, will account for €36m in 2020 and there is a total commitment of €151m over the three-year period of the Capital Programme.

Provision has also been made for cycling infrastructure and there is a planned expenditure of €43mm over the three years on Greenway Projects such as the Broadmeadow Way, Fingal Coastal Way and Royal Canal Urban Greenway. Cycling infrastructure is also being included the road investment programme which includes projects such as the R135 North Road, Ballycoolin Road and Swords to Malahide Estuary.

Economic Enterprise and Tourism Development will account for almost €73m with €23m being spent in 2020 on projects such as Our Balbriggan and Howth Courthouse as well as the purchase of development lands and the servicing and improvement of existing industrial lands.

The development of the Swords Cultural Quarter will continue over the next three years and the project is expected to ramp up considerably in 2020 following the announcement that Turner and Townsend have been appointed as Project Manager. The Cultural Quarter includes existing buildings such as Swords Castle, The Atrium at County Hall and Carnegie Hall on North Street while a new Civic Centre and County Library is to be built on the junction of North Street and Seatown Road.

Over €13m will be spent on Community infrastructure over the next three years including the progression of Community Centre projects in Meakstown and Baldoyle.

The Council’s commitment to introduce LED street lighting continues with €5.3m due to be spent over the next three years including €2.4m in 2020 and 2021.

The Capital Programme is funded from a variety of sources including levies, loans, grants and the Council’s own revenue streams.

The presentation of the 2020-2022 Capital Programme to councillors can be viewed at www.fingal.ie/council-meetings

A copy of the 2020-2022 Capital Programme can be viewed at https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/capital-programme