Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
216. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to provide funding to the National Transport Authority for the Dart+ south-west project; and if it his intention to do so earlier than the 2030 date indicated by him last November. [40838/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the DART+ programme, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that full planning approval for DART+ South West was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024. Procurement for both DART+ South West and West is progressing, with pre-qualification questionnaire notices for design and build works advertised in May 2025.
Funding secured under this National Development Plan will see construction of the DART+ programme begin before the end of next year, starting with DART+ West, as this project acts as a crucial enabler of the rest of the programme by providing additional electrified depot capacity for the new DART+ fleet.
The Compulsory Purchase Orders process for DART+ South West commenced in recent months and aspects of the procurement frameworks put in place for DART+ West will be available for use on South-West when its main construction works commence.
