Written Answers Nos. 537-556
537. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport to consider reopening the Waterford-Rosslare rail line, as recommended in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; his views on the ongoing costs of maintenance to the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74405/25]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the maintenance of the disused Waterford to Wexford line, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030. This includes a new platform at Limerick Junction, and a new passing loop east of Clonmel, which will support quicker journeys between Waterford and Limerick.
The Rail Strategy also identifies Major Projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification of the Waterford rail line, to be progressed.
Projects not included in the Rail Strategy, such as reinstating the rail link between Wexford and Waterford, are intended to be developed in the longer-term.
Waterford will benefit from a new train station is currently under construction in the city, for opening in 2027, as part of the ambitious North Quays development.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter of the maintenance of the line, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
538. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy; if there will be space for further projects to be progressed in the short to medium term as recommended in the AISRR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74406/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for the longer run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network. These Major Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes, and reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry.
Projects not included in the Rail Strategy are intended to be progressed in the longer term.
539. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport his plans to carry out analysis of the feasibility of ro-ro rail freight at Rosslare port, or lo-lo operations in the future for the port, as noted in recommendation 23 of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74407/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030.
The Strategy also identifies Major Projects to be progressed for the longer run, involving intercity electrification and significant capacity upgrades on the rail network. These Major Projects include “FourNorth”, to add track capacity on the busy Northern line north of Connolly station; electrification and line speed improvements on the Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast routes, and reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry.
Projects that are in the Rail Review but not included in the Rail Strategy are intended to be progressed in the longer term.
Separately, in 2022 Iarnród Éireann was awarded EU funding of €2.5 million from the Connecting Europe Facility for supporting studies for the development of a rail freight system connecting Ireland’s busiest seaports and establishing transfer points for freight between rail and road. This study is now nearing completion.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
540. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the rail link to Shannon included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published in July 2024 has now been removed from its implementation strategy. [74409/25]
View answer541. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the reopening of the rail line between Waterford and Wexford-Rosslare included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published in July 2024 has now been removed from its implementation strategy. [74410/25]
View answer542. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the rail link between Mullingar and Portadown included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published in July 2024 has now been removed from its implementation strategy. [74411/25]
View answer543. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the double tracking of the rail line between Maynooth and Mullingar included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published in July 2024 has now been removed from its implementation strategy. [74412/25]
View answer544. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the reason the rail link between Athlone and Mullingar included in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published in July 2024 has now been removed from its implementation strategy. [74413/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 544, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December last year. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030.
The Rail Strategy also identifies Major Projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification rail lines, to be progressed for the longer run.
The Rail Strategy does not cancel any projects. Rather projects such as the proposed rail link to Shannon Airport and the reinstatement of the Waterford to Wexford line are intended to be progressed in the longer term.
545. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74458/25]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement, purchase and leasing of office accommodation required by government departments, including the Department of Transport. Rental Costs are paid by the OPW and that information should be requested from the OPW. In addition, the Department has paid annual rent of €2,000 for the Valentia Marine Rescue Sub-Centre since 2016 to date.
546. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his views on the Fitzwilliam cycle route project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74473/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
€290 million was allocated to the NTA's Active Travel and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme alone in 2025 with actual spend reaching over €296 million invested in around 1,000 projects nationwide.
I was delighted to secure a similar funding in Budget 2026, with €360 million having been allocated to Greenways and Active Travel, evidence of the Governments commitment to the provision of improved and expanded walking and cycling infrastructure both in our urban centres and in towns and villages across Ireland.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment will be to support high quality walking and cycling infrastructure, for everyday trips, in villages, towns and cities, particularly in designated growth settlements, with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
547. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his views on supporting the use of private residential on-street EV charging in Dublin for properties without private parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74475/25]
View answer548. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his views on approving the use of charging arms to support on-street EV charging in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74476/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) is a dedicated Office within the Department of Transport, charged with supporting consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles. The Office leads on the delivery of the Ireland’s ambitious targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
In July 2025, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment adopted a Strategy Statement on Private Wires. This is a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. It will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage, and will potentially enable the use of EV chargers to support on-street parking in specific circumstances.
ZEVI fully supports this Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment led initiative.
In addition, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of public destination and neighbourhood charging and will be led by Local Authorities.
Local authorities will be funded by ZEVI to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, including Dublin, so as not to delay any initial rollout.
549. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to the proposal to provide a grant scheme to support the provision of electric vehicle charging stations at hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses, to encourage their use and relieve pressure on public charger stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74480/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are working together to accelerate the delivery of EV charging infrastructure across Ireland's National Road Network by incentivising private sector involvement.
The objective is to support the roll out of EV recharging infrastructure at regular intervals across relevant parts of the road network.
Phase 3 of the ZEVI TII EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme was launched February 2025. It will target publicly accessible facilities within 3km driving distance of the Scheme roads and was open to hotels and other publicly accessible sites. The sites of the 90 new recharging hubs to service the expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet across Ireland's national road network were announced October 2025.
This third grant scheme follows on from Phase 1, which focused on motorways and Phase 2, focusing on national single carriageway roads. Both these schemes were also open to hotels and other publicly accessible sites.
A range of new charging schemes are also being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including a Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers in sports clubs on the island of Ireland, and Local Authority pilot schemes, funding the roll out of EV charging in Local Authorities who have already developed local EV network plans, while supporting the development of local EV Network plans in other areas.
Local Authority EV Network plans will include plans for destination charging at locations around Local Authority areas, and hotels and B&Bs may also be eligible for this funding.
Other incentives from Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland include a Home Charger Grant Scheme. The grant is open to homeowners to apply for a grant, whether they own an electric vehicle or not. This charge point can also be used for visitor use or at rented accommodation.
EV incentives and grants are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are delivering value for money and supporting delivery of EV targets, and the Government will consider any reasonable initiative which may increase EV uptake or the availability of EV charging.
550. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport the total budget for active travel projects across Ireland, in each year, for the past five years. [74502/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
The Government is committed to the provision of improved and expanded walking and cycling infrastructure both in our urban centres and in towns and villages across Ireland. In 2021, the Active Travel Infrastructure Programme was expanded to include the 19 local authority areas outside the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities. Since then, over €1 billion has been invested in walking and cycling projects across the country.
€290 million was allocated to the NTA's Active Travel and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme alone in 2025 with actual spend reaching over €296 million invested in around 1,000 projects nationwide. I was delighted to secure a similar funding for Active Travel in Budget 2026, meaning that the Department of Transport and the NTA can continue to progress walking and cycling projects around Ireland into this year.
Active Travel Infrastructure Allocation and Spend 2021-2025
|
Year |
Total Allocation |
Total Actual Expenditure |
|
2021 |
€290m |
€184m |
|
2022 |
€290m |
€310m |
|
2023 |
€290m |
€341m |
|
2024 |
€290m |
€351m |
|
2025 |
€290m |
€296m |
551. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a bus shelter on a route (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74513/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
553. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the reason Irish citizens returning from abroad who previously held full Irish driving licences are required to wait months for licence reinstatement, leaving them unable to drive to work; whether he will introduce a fast-track process or interim driving entitlement to prevent undue hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74537/25]
View answer554. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport his views that the current NDLS process treats returning emigrants as first-time applicants, despite their proven driving history; the reforms he will implement to ensure their competence and entitlement are recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74538/25]
View answer555. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the assessment which has been made of the impact of licence exchange delays on employment, mobility and rural community; whether he will commit to immediate reform of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74539/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, together.
As Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that road safety and keeping Irish roads safe for all road users remain the priority in considering foreign licence exchange applications. Vigilance is necessary when processing a licence exchange application, to ensure a fraudulent document has not been submitted and that a driving test was passed in the jurisdiction which issued the licence.
There are various factors which affect the processing exchange applications. For example, the driver may need to submit outstanding information, such as a medical or eyesight report or, for an online application, the physical licence itself. However, the most common reason for delays is when the National Driver Licence Service is awaiting verification of the licence from the other driver licensing authority. At times a response is received very quickly but there can be considerable delays.
The RSA previously considered the introduction of interim driving licences but concluded that this would only further delay exchange, as the verification of the non-EU licence would still have to be undertaken to issue an interim licence.
As part of the standard governance processes for State agencies under the Department, officials meet with the Authority on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues. This covers operational performance and potential areas of concern, including analysis from the RSA regarding the licence exchange process.
556. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport when quarter 3 and quarter 4 data will be available for a route to determine whether it is performing within the contractual obligations as set out by the National Transport Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74543/25]
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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
