Written Answers Nos. 81-95
81. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the Sligo to Dublin rail line is in real terms being downgraded (details supplied); if he is aware that there is now a lack of seats on all Sligo to Dublin morning peak services from Longford onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39084/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy, overall funding in relation to public transport, and corporate governance of transport operators including Irish Rail.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the Sligo to Dublin rail line timetable is a matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
82. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to the addition of an early morning train service between Longford and Sligo that would allow arrival in Sligo for workers, students and people with early medical appointments, before the current first train which arrives from Dublin at 10.17 am. [41698/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy, overall funding in relation to public transport, and corporate governance of transport operators including Irish Rail.
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
83. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will prioritise funding to increase track capacity on the northern line from two to four tracks; his best estimate on when this can be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41980/24]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that potential capacity enhancements on the Northern rail line are being examined as part of a study being undertaken by Iarnród Éireann and funded by the EU under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Separately, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review has been undertaken by the Department of Transport in Ireland in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The final Report of the Review was published in July 2024. The Review informs the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net carbon zero targets in both jurisdictions, and includes the potential construction of a new railway on the M1 corridor as well as four-tracking proposals for the Northern line. However, no decision has been made on these projects which would be subject to separate funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), my Department and Department for Infrastructure and agencies north and south are already working to progress the Review's recommendations, maintaining momentum. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. Further information on this work will be available later this year, and progress will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport whether the rescheduling of rail commuter traffic is adequately managed to ensure arrival on time and regularity from the customer's perspective, with particular reference the peak morning and evening commuting times, to eliminate late departures and arrivals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42083/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
85. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the effect of Budget 2025 on the road allocations for the same year; the funding available for Transport Infrastructure Ireland next year; the amount of that funding related to Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42102/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design, construction, operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
It was announced on the 1st of October of this year that €1.36 billion has been allocated for national and local road networks and road safety measures. Included in this allocation is €988 million for the protection and renewal of the Irish road system with funding of over €308 million for new roads under the National Development Plan.
The allocations to each local authority for national roads for 2025 will be announced in the next few months.
86. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the delivery of a Waterford metropolitan rail network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, land transport investment in our five cities, including Waterford, is guided by the metropolitan area transport strategies which have been developed for each city. These multimodal strategies provide the necessary evidence-based and plan-led framework to guide transport investment in each city over the short, medium and longer term. This type of approach provides the type of long-term planning that is needed to ensure good transport infrastructure delivery and related integration with land-use planning in our cites.
The Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS) was published in December 2022. It was developed by the NTA in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, Kilkenny County Council, the Southern Regional Assembly and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. WMATS aims to provide an accessible and integrated transport network to meet the travel demands and support the sustainable growth of the Waterford Metropolitan Area up to 2040.
Noting the NTA's role in the development of the WMATS, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
87. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will take action to improve rail infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42066/24]
View answerThere has been significant investment in rail infrastructure over the lifetime of this Government. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 notes key rail projects such as the DART+ programme, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme and the Foynes Rail Line Reinstatement project, on which we have made good progress and will continue to advance in the years ahead.
The DART+ programme comprises five related projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area. The expansion will create a connected and electrified rail network for the Greater Dublin Area, increasing the network from circa 50km to 150km and doubling city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours.
The Preliminary Business Case for the whole DART+ programme, was approved by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1 in December 2021. The Decision also permitted the purchase of additional DART fleet. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which comprise 65 battery-electric and 30 electric carriages, are due to start arriving shortly for testing, prior to entry into service. The battery-electric carriages are expected to enter service on the northern line to Drogheda in early 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet, which will see 90 new battery-electric carriages arrive around 2026.
A Railway Order application for DART+ West, which provides for an extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth, was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022. A Railway Order was granted by An Bord Pleanála in July subject to certain conditions, notably that the proposed depot west of Maynooth not be constructed due to concerns about flood risk. Iarnród Éireann are currently exploring other options for the construction of a depot in collaboration with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the project into the procurement process. Iarnród Éireann and the NTA are also considering responses to legal challenges to the projects planning decision.
A Railway Order application for DART+ South-West, which provides for an extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge, was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in March 2023.
A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North, which provides for the extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda, was lodged in July 2024.
The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme represents the largest investment in the rail network in Cork undertaken by the State. The programme comprises a number of separate but interrelated projects. The Programme will be delivered on a phased basis. Phase 1 of the Programme will see circa €300m investment (€164m of EU funds) in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. All Phase 1 projects are on track for delivery by mid-2026.
The Foynes Line Reinstatement Project provides for rehabilitation works on 42km of the currently disused, Limerick to Foynes railway line, to safely reinstate the line for operational rail freight transport. The rehabilitation works will enable the return of freight services to the line, supporting up to 10 return freight services in a 12-hour period. Work on this project is well underway and it is anticipated the line will reopen to freight traffic in 2026.
There has also been significant investment in upgrading and building new train stations across the country. The construction contract for the upgrade of Ceannt Station in Galway was awarded in November 2023, with works currently on-going. Construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026.
Iarnród Éireann have also recently lodged a planning application for or new platform and second track through Oranmore Station, to increase train frequency. Construction on the project is expected to commence in Q4 2025 subject to planning permission and funding availability.
A non-statutory public consultation on the emerging preferred option for a new rail station at Moyross, Limerick concluded in June. Iarnród Éireann are currently advancing the preliminary design and expect to produce a Preliminary Business Case for the project shortly. Construction on the project is anticipated to begin in Quarter 4 2025, subject to planning permission and funding availability.
Works are also progressing on Colbert station in Limerick and the relocation of Plunket station in Waterford, as part of the North Quays Redevelopment works in the city.
As the Deputy may also be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC), also provides the exchequer funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure. Over the five-year IMMAC programme from 2020-2024 in excess of €1.3 billion in exchequer funding will have been made available to support delivery of protection and renewal works. This funding also helps to increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services. In December 2023, track and infrastructure upgrades carried out under IMMAC, facilitated an improvement in journey times on the Dublin – Cork route, including what is believed to be the fastest ever timetabled service between the two cities at 2hrs and 14 minutes.
In order to lay out a strategic vision for the future of the rail sector, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken by the Department of Transport in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net carbon zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Final Review Report, which was published in July this year makes 32 recommendations including:
• Additional capacity, including upgrading much of the single-track rail network to double-track, with four-track in some areas;
• Providing new 200kmh intercity trains, which will support a significant reduction in rail journey times between cities;
• A net carbon zero rail system, primarily through the overhead electrification of intercity routes and new electric trains;
• The interventions will also provide for higher frequencies with a train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the final Review Report will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.
Assisted by the EIB Advisory Services, my Department and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations for the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. Progress on the implementation of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review will be reported through the North-South Ministerial Council.
89. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to outline his plans to ensure the safety of passengers on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue to which public transport is unfortunately not immune; and those who regularly use and work within our public transport network are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.
While the safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff is of utmost importance, arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on public transport are matters which first and foremost must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate.
My Department has been engaging directly with the NTA and the PSO operators on the issue of anti-social behaviour and ensuring the safety of passengers and staff. Operators continuously stress their strong and close working relationships with An Garda Síochána in relation to these issues.
Further, each of the operators have their own safety and security policies in place, to deal with issues such as antisocial behaviour, and have introduced a number of initiatives in recent years to help combat the issue, including:
• Increased investment on security - for example, a substantial increase in spending on rail security, from €3.7m in 2016 to €6.0m in 2022;
• CCTV - the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 11 internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet;
• Radios on each Dublin Bus vehicle which facilitate immediate contact to a Central Control Centre;
• Text alert systems, and;
• Joint initiatives with An Garda Síochána.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the safety of passengers on public transport is an operational matter for each of the public transport operators. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, and Transdev for direct response to the Deputy.
90. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport if it is Government policy to not intervene in NTA decisions where there is a clear negative impact on both communities and on the use of public transport in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42155/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
91. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to outline the lessons that can be learned from the implementation of the August rail timetable changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42056/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) conduct an annual timetable review. As part of this annual review process, Irish Rail implemented the 2024 service changes on August 25th this year. These timetable alterations were designed to deliver a more regular interval pattern throughout the day on all commuter routes and to enable the greater use of Grand Canal Dock as a turn back location for all commuter services where possible, as opposed to using Pearse Station as a terminal, which has historically created further congestion issues.
Irish Rail conducts a public consultation prior to implementing any changes, with draft timetables available for review by the public. The consultation for the 2024 timetable started on the 30th of May, with a closing date of the 13th of June. As with all major timetable changes, Irish Rail closely monitors its implementation to identify any issues which arise which may impact service performance.
Since the implementation of the new timetable on August 26th, there have been a number of timing issues leading to congestion in the Connolly Station area. Therefore, a number of further changes were introduced on September 16th to improve punctuality on these rail services. Unfortunately, despite these interventions, the service issues have continued and as a result, on the 14th of October Irish Rail will revert to a version of the timetable that was in place prior to the August changes.
As the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail, I have referred the question to the company for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
93. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the delivery of the Metrolink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41983/24]
View answerMetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. MetroLink will serve multiple residential communities such as Swords, Ballymun and Glasnevin, as well as the City Centre, Dublin Airport, major employment zones, education, transport and other facilities. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. MetroLink will be able to carry a peak capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction in the future. MetroLink will connect to Irish Rail, DART, Luas and bus services, as well as Dublin airport.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the Minister for Transport secured approval for the project from the Cabinet under Approval Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This approval enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and in September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála held an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink in February/March 2024. This process allowed planning authorities, prescribed bodies, elected representatives and observers to share their views on the project. TII engaged constructively with all parties as part of the Oral Hearing. Where possible, following engagement, TII has provided An Bord Pleanála with conditions agreed by both parties aimed at addressing their specific concerns. Following the Oral Hearing, An Bord Pleanála held an additional round of public consultation from 19th August to 8th October 2024.
Another key milestone was reached on June 2024 when Sean Sweeney was announced as the Project Director for MetroLink. Mr. Sweeney has three decades in leadership roles on major infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
Subject to securing planning approval, and no successful legal challenges, TII will submit a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy for consideration at Approval Gate 2, in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. Dependent on the outcome of the planning process, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation by the mid-2030s.
94. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport to report on his visit to Cork on 24 May 2024 to mark the further development of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41894/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is noted as a key project in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The Programme will provide a more efficient transport service for the area to help facilitate population and economic growth over the coming decades.
The Programme will be delivered on a phased basis. Phase 1 of the Programme, ‘Enable future electrification of Cork Commuter Rail’, was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan (NRRP) as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 will be completed by Quarter 3 2026 as required by the European Commission.
This will see circa €164m of EU funds invested in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.
The construction contract for the additional platform at Kent Station was awarded in early 2023 and works are ongoing, with construction expected to be completed by 2025.
Iarnród Éireann recently awarded a contract for the double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton to BAM Ireland and construction commenced in September.
In addition to the Kent Station and double-tracking works outlined above, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to Alstom for a major signalling upgrade project on the Cork commuter rail network in June 2023. This signalling upgrade is required to increase the number of trains which can operate between Cork and Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. Overall, this project is on track for delivery by 2026.
Recently, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan appointing them as multidisciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme. This Phase provides for eight new stations, a new fleet maintenance depot electrification of the network and upgrades to existing commuter stations. Subject to the granting of the Railway Order and securing funding and achieving the relevant approvals, Phase 2 of the Programme will progress after Phase 1 works have been completed.
95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the proposals to increase capacity on a route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41896/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
