Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme (ESIOP)
Programme description
The European Commission will actively participate in the development of Ireland by co-financing the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme during the 2000-2006 period. The programme falls within the Community Support Framework for Ireland. The Community will finance EUR 905.621 million out of the programme's total co-financed cost of EUR 1566.944 million.
Eligibility / Contact / Financial tables1. Action Priorities
The programme revolves around four priority areas and technical assistance measures.Priority 1 : National roadsSignificant investments will be allocated for upgrading the major inter-urban routes into a reliable road network and transport system. The investments will lead to improvements in internal road transport infrastructure between and within regions, contribute to the competitiveness of the productive sector and foster balanced regional development. A comprehensive strategy will be elaborated to provide for alternative transport arrangements such as public transport, cycling and walking.
Priority 2 : Public transportThe deficiencies of public transport services will be addressed, especially for the Dublin area and other urban centres. Investments in infrastructure will be carried out according to the projected volume growth of traffic. In order to curtail congestion and vehicular emissions in the Dublin area, an effort will be made to reduce the attractiveness of commuting to work by private car and to improve the rail network. In other urban centres, providing alternatives to car use and promoting public transport will be emphasised as a way of tackling increasing congestion. In all urban areas efforts will be made to increase the accessibility of transport to mobility impaired and disabled people.
Priority 3 : Environmental InfrastructureMeasures under this priority concern water related services such as waste water treatment, water supply, management and rehabilitation of infrastructure and infrastructural support for economic activity. These will support sustainable economic development by alleviating existing or potential pollution which can act as a constraint on further economic development.
Priority 4 : Sustainable energySupport will be provided to promote investments in and use of renewable energy. Measures will also concentrate on the conservation and the efficient use of energy.
Technical Assistance : Measures will be equally provided to assist with the management of, information on, implementation of, control and evaluation of all aspects of the programme.
2. Description of eligibility
While Ireland's per capita income now exceeds the EU average, the relatively recent nature of that convergence means that the accumulated wealth of the country, in terms of physical infrastructure and accumulated human capital, is considerably lower than that for other countries at or above the EU average income levels. By the mid-1990's much of the physical infrastructure was inadequate for the existing needs and is now seriously under strain due to the rapidly growing economy. The level of pressure varies but it is especially a feature of the more densely populated urban areas and the main national arteries.
Roads are the dominant mode of internal transport in Ireland, accounting for 90% of freight traffic and 96% of passenger traffic. The rapid economic growth of recent years has put a great strain on the road network with certain areas experiencing serious congestion.
Ireland and especially Dublin do not have an efficient public transport system. This under-developed public transport system, with a consequent over-reliance on private cars, is not only a limiting factor for economic growth but also increases pollution in the country.
3. Management and contact details
The Department of Transport is the Managing Authority with the primary responsibility of ensuring compliance with EU rules, co-ordinating the implementation of the programme -including its financial aspects- and organising the Monitoring Committee.
The Operational Programme Monitoring Committee is made up of the social partners and other representative organisations. The membership is based on a balanced ratio between men and women.The projects are selected by the Managing Authority following the criteria described in the Programme Complements and approved by the Monitoring Committee.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| National roads | 585.216.259,00 | 942.957.206,00 | 942.957.206,00 |
| Public transport | 353.967.148,00 | 680.532.513,00 | 680.532.513,00 |
| Environmental Infrastructure | 71.101.000,00 | 125.152.000,00 | 125.152.000,00 |
| Sustainable energy | 28.344.670,00 | 47.643.628,00 | 47.643.628,00 |
| Technical Assistance | 992.000,00 | 1.992.000,00 | 1.992.000,00 |
| Total | 1.039.621.077,00 | 1.798.277.347,00 | 1.798.277.347,00 |