Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
170. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed delivery capability and performance on the Train Management System project; the outcome of any such assessment; the contingency or alternative delivery options under consideration; the measures being taken to mitigate further cost escalation and delivery risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30627/26]
View answer179. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the National Train Control Centre and Train Management System project; the revised timeline for commissioning phase 1 and overall completion; the total cost to date and estimated final cost; the actions being taken to ensure delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30626/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 179 together.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the National Train Control Centre, or NTCC.
The NTCC, project aims to deliver a modern, safe and efficient rail traffic management system that can effectively meet the needs of a growing railway over the coming decades.
The NTCC building near Heuston Station was completed in November 2022, close to its initial target date and budget despite the significant disruption to the construction sector caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during its construction. Bringing the centre into full operation has been delayed by slower than projected progress in developing and rolling out the new traffic management system, or TMS, which is the software that integrates a range of complex railway systems, such as signalling and communications.
As a result of these delays, last August I met with the NTA and the contractor responsible for the TMS, Indra Sistemas. I expressed my dissatisfaction at the rate of progress with the TMS and emphasised the importance of project delivery. My Department and I will continue to keep the project under close review, including with reference to the revised target commissioning dates, with a view to it bringing its benefits to railways users as soon as possible.
Finally, it is important to note traffic management continues to operate out of Connolly Station currently and there is no impact on railway safety as a result of delays in the new TMS.
