Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
323. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if any of the 185 new carriages ordered for the greater Dublin area, due to enter service from Q2 2027 onwards, will be allocated to services operating in Kildare North, specifically on the Maynooth line, Longford line, Hazelhatch–Celbridge, Sallins and Naas, and Kilcock routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70987/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme, which comprises five different projects in and around the GDA, will triple the length of the electrified network from circa 50km to 150km and double city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours.
DART+ West will provide an extension of DART services from the City Centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth, and the construction of a new depot and city centre enhancements. Conditional planning approval was received from An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2024.
DART+ South West will provide an extension of DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. Planning approval was received from An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024.
Procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) notices for Design and Build works advertised in May 2025.
Two fleet orders have been placed (185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units). The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromise of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, have started arriving and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
