Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he has assessed the recent submission from Kilkenny County Council dated 19 April 2024 in response to the SRAD queries relative to the next phase of the Kilkenny ring road extension; if he will provide the appropriate level of funding to allow the project to proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21241/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.In line with Government requirements Kilkenny County Council produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension and a draft was forwarded to the Department in January 2023. The Department reviewed the SAR and returned its comments and observations to Kilkenny County Council for consideration.Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance have been updated - the Department continues to liaise with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure Guidelines and the TAF including the preparation of a Project Outline Document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the SAR stage.The Department has recently received an updated POD which is currently under review by the Department’s Strategic Research and Analysis Division and Regional and Local Roads Division. Following this review, the Department will further engage with Kilkenny County Council on the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Project. While this process is underway funding has been allocated for Traffic/Junction Analysis in the Butts Green area of the City to further assess and understand traffic patterns in the city.
163. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if the required amount of funding will be allocated immediately to allow a continuation of the N24 road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21242/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 and construction 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
I can confirm that €650,000 was allocated for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction scheme in 2024. While it was not possible to provide an allocation to the N24 Waterford to Cahir scheme, as with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review in future years and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you regarding the status of these projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department has been approached by the organisers of a group (details supplied) as regards offering the flotilla the Irish flag in order for them to sail lifesaving aid to Gaza; if so, to provide details of the engagement; and if he would consider allowing them to sail under the Irish flag. [21246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy private office has not received any correspondence from the organisers of The Freedom Flotilla group.
As my cabinet colleague Minister Chambers recently advised Deputy Réada Cronin in Dáil Question No. 136 of the 8th of May 2024; The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) requires that every state shall effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control in administrative, technical and social matters over ships flying its state flag.
In particular, each state shall maintain a register of its ships and assume jurisdiction over its internal law on-board ships flying its flag. In this regard, every state shall ensure the safety of the ship with regard to construction, equipment and seaworthiness, the manning of the ship, labour conditions and the training of its crews. Each state shall therefore survey every ship operating under its flag and at appropriate intervals thereafter to safeguard the ship’s safety and to ensure that it is complying with accepted international safety regulations, procedures and practices.
In Ireland, the registration of vessels is regulated under the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955 and the Merchant Shipping and Sea Pollution Acts 1894 to 2022. Nationality requirements apply to prospective registered owners, and this currently includes Irish, EU and UK citizens and bodies corporate. Applicants, being the owner of a vessel or their legal representative, must contact a Registrar of Shipping at their chosen port of registry in relation to satisfying the registration requirements and the application process also requires a tonnage measurement survey, which is carried out by the Department of Transport.
For an existing ship to operate under the Irish flag it must also be surveyed by the Department of Transport to ensure the safety of the vessel and the crew. These technical surveys include a full review of the ship including its previous operation under other flags and the outcomes of inspections under port state control regimes to determine the safety status of the ship. The ship will be surveyed for compliance with the relevant international maritime conventions, EU legislation and domestic Irish legislation.
The operation of a ship is regulated regarding its use, intended trading areas as well as matters related to compliance with the procedures of the conventions including requirements regarding maritime security. This includes setting the security levels on Irish flagged ships and directing ships in relation to their operations. Ships operating under the Irish flag are subject to compliance with a wider set of Irish legislation than maritime safety alone, including compliance with any other applicable Irish civil and criminal law.
Ireland maintains a comprehensive oversight of ships on the Irish flag to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained, and Ireland is currently amongst the top performing flag states in the world in terms of vessel safety, as determined by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding Organization.
165. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport the provisions being made to reopen the public school transport office, currently located on the fourth floor of Plunkett train station in Waterford (details supplied); if he will enquire as to whether provisions are being made to have this public office reopened to visitors, or if the Covid restrictions will remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21253/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.The property affairs of CIÉ are matters for the CIÉ Board in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Acts 1950 and 1964. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
166. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the present status of the proposed tunnel project being proposed at Dublin Airport; if he will outline the procurement stage of the project; the envisaged capital allocation required to complete it; the timelines surrounding the project proposal; whether or not this project has been approved for capital funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21254/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development of Dublin Airport.daa obtained a grant of planning permission for the proposed tunnel from Fingal County Council on 27 February 2023. This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála, who made a final grant of permission, with conditions attached on 17 April 2024. The proposed project is included in Dublin Airport's Capital Investment Programme (2020+) which is funded directly by the airport through airport charges with no recourse to Exchequer funding.
As this is a development matter for daa, I have forwarded your query to daa for a direct reply on the further detail you have requested. If you do not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
167. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether any contacts have taken place within his Department with respect to the possible acquisition of land in County Wicklow for a future designated airport capable of passenger jet traffic; the engagement, if any, that has taken place between Department officials and any possible promoters of such a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21255/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that no contacts have taken place with respect to the possible acquisition of land in County Wicklow for a future designated airport capable of passenger jet traffic nor has there been any engagement by the Department with any possible promoters of such a project.
168. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of Metro North, including the latest timelines to approval and tender award for initial construction; if he will outline the total projected project cost; if he concurs with recent NTA published material indicating a September 2024 start date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, an Oral Hearing in relation to the planning application for MetroLink commenced on February 19th and concluded on March 28th. 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.
MetroLink serves a different route to that proposed by Metro North, for example MetroLink will connect with the rail network at Tara Street, a new rail station at Glasnevin and the Green Line Luas at Charlemont. There are also a number of fundamental engineering and operational differences between Metro North and MetroLink, such as MetroLink’s use of fully automated operation, reflecting technological advances over the years.
The Preliminary Business Case included a range of potential capital costs from €7.16bn to €12.25bn in 2021 prices, excluding VAT. An updated and more definite cost estimate for MetroLink will be known after the planning and procurement stages, and will be brought to Government for consideration at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The final budget for MetroLink will not be set until after the planning process and completion of tendering and procurement, with the Government having the final decision about whether to proceed to construction. Officials in my Department engage with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on an ongoing basis in relation to the budget and progress of all major projects, including MetroLink.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including MetroLink.Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions in relation to the areas raised to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
169. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will advise, beyond a train Metrolink service connecting Dublin Airport to the Dublin city area, what other options have been explored recently in his Department or with outside agencies or private specialists in terms of looking at alternate proposals to increase connectivity between the airport and the city; if his Department has looked at the latest transport infrastructure being used in Asia to connect airports and urban areas, some of which includes articulated buses rotating at short intervals; what activity is ongoing in his Department to consider other transport options to comparatively price against the Metro North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21257/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. MetroLink will be a fully electrified, segregated and mostly underground new rail line from the Swords area to Charlemont in the south of Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport.
The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 is the statutory transport strategy for the region and sets out a range of ambitious proposals for delivery over the period to 2042. In relation to metro, and as outlined in the Strategy, the analysis conducted concluded that a metro line from Swords to Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport would be the key area of focus for metro delivery out to 2042. The National Transport Authority (NTA) reviews and updates the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area every 6 years.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the Government granted Decision Gate 1 approval in principle under the Public Spending Code to the project. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage and on 30 September Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. An Oral Hearing for the project began on February 19th and concluded on March 28th 2024.
Separately, the Deputy may also be aware that the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the Review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. The recommendations set out in the Review are intended, within the Greater Dublin Area, to represent potential additional complementary provision which could be considered for inclusion in future updates to the GDA Transport Strategy, which is required to be updated every six years .
The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for higher/high-speed rail), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, improved connectivity to the North West, and rail connectivity to our international gateways, including Dublin airport. The draft Review recommends building a heavy rail spur from Clongriffin to Dublin Airport by 2050 in addition to MetroLink.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July 2023. The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September 2023 and submissions have been reviewed by officials from both jurisdictions.
It is expected that a final Review report, taking account of the comments raised in the consultation, will be submitted for Government approval in both jurisdictions and that the final Review will be published in the Summer.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including MetroLink, in conjunction with TII. 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.
170. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport his views on Kilkenny railway station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21258/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the platform at Kilkenny railway station 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.
171. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if the lift, which was installed by a company (details supplied) to facilitate access for all passengers to the railway station and which was to be commissioned by Iarnród Éireann, will be made operational; the reason the lift has never been used since it was installed 20 years ago; and if immediate action will be taken. [21278/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the operation of a lift in McDonagh Station 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.
172. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the estimated timeline for the DART+ southwest project to progress beyond the planning application; and a timeline for the project as a whole. [21331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ South West project.
The DART+ programme comprises five related projects in the Greater Dublin Area and eastern region, including:
• DART+ Fleet: a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric fleet;
• DART+ West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth;
• DART+ South West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge;
• DART+ Coastal North: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda;
• DART+ Coastal South: improvement of current DART services from Dublin city centre to Greystones.
In December 2021 the Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ Programme and a fleet framework agreement between Irish Rail and Alstom. This framework allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric/battery-electric train carriages for the Irish Rail system over a 10-year period. This approval permitted the purchase of 95 new DART carriages, which are expected to enter service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement, which will see 90 new battery-electric multiple units arrive in 2026.
Following the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022, an Oral Hearing for DART+ West was held in September/October 2023. A Railway Order for DART+ South West was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in March 2023 and a Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North is expected to be lodged in June/July 2024.
Subject to DART+ South West’s receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the project, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. If approval is granted at this stage, the project will proceed to conduct a procurement process. A Final Business Case, which will take account of the outcome of the procurement process, will be prepared and the project will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
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.
173. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline when CIÉ pensions for retired staff, or surviving partners of retired staff will increase in line with inflation (details supplied). [21335/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. The Department is still in the process of considering the draft SI in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to consider what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 14th June 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
174. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if a request for funding for road and pedestrian safety measures was submitted by Cork County Council for a location (details supplied). [21353/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
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.
175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to extend the end of life for taxi saloon cars to 13 years, as has been done with 2014 cabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.Regulations made by the NTA in 2010 first established a maximum permissible age of 10 years for new standard taxis and hackneys. The ten-year rule was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort, and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully. The NTA's extension of age limits during Covid-19 was an emergency measure of a temporary nature, taken in recognition of the particular challenges posed by the pandemic and was specifically aimed at ensuring that no operator would be required to change their vehicle while passenger demand remained low due to the pandemic. A series of global circumstances in 2022 had, in the NTA’s view, considerably worsened the capability of taxi and hackney licence holders to secure new vehicles. Therefore, the NTA further temporarily extended the maximum permissible age for taxis and hackneys so that no current vehicle licence holder would be forced out of the industry because a replacement vehicle could not be purchased. They did this by introducing Regulations on 18 November 2022, the purpose of which is to amend Regulation 31 (Maximum Permissible Age Requirements) of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015. This amendment was made as an exceptional provision and contingency measure, as a result of vehicle supply issues.The 2022 Regulations provide for a graduated return to the ten-year age limit, with vehicles whose 10-year limit was originally in 2020 or 2021 now extended to 2025; those whose original limit is in 2022 or 2023 now extended to 2026, and those whose original limit will be reached in 2024, extended to 2027. The NTA contacted SPSV licence holders to confirm the new final operation date of their current licensed vehicle and does not anticipate introducing any further maximum permissible age extensions.
176. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport what assistance is available to industry workers (details supplied) to be able to test closer to place of work and not miss more off-road time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21394/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including suitability tests for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the rollout of electric car chargers nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21324/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government, through Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), is investing €100 million between 2023-2025 in EV infrastructure as we look to accelerate the delivery of EV charging across our national road network and local and regional networks.
In January 2023, Minister Ryan launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan.
As of end March 2024, there were over 121,000 electric vehicles registered in Ireland. Ireland has a target of 175,000 EV cars and 20,000 LGVs on the road by 2025.
Since late 2022 the number of publicly available charge points has increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to 2,400. To achieve our targets, it is expected that we will require between 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers nationally depending on need.
A significant number of charge points are scheduled to be delivered over the next year.
These include the roll out of public accessible charge points through the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) Community Facilities EV Charging Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Light Duty Vehicle Enroute Grant Scheme all of which are currently live and expected to begin delivery on the ground in late 2024, early 2025.
The National Road Network EV Charging Network Plan, launched in September 2023, will see 8-12 high-power chargers on the motorway network every 60KM, 6-8 HPCs every 60 km on the single carriage national roads and 1-2 high power chargers every 30 KM on the secondary national roads.
This month, we will launch a public consultation on the Regional and Local Plan and roll out of EV Infrastructure for destination and neighbourhood locations through Local Authorities.
This is a critical step in our EV transition that will see us move from the current business led model to a planned approach which leverages private funding and resourcing while allowing Government funding to flow to the areas it is needed.
To facilitate this, ZEVI have been engaging extensively with Local Authorities and agreed in principle a regional set up to deliver EV Infrastructure Strategies and Implementation Plans which will result in a planned and phased roll out of infrastructure over the next 5 years.
A crucial element of this approach is to ensure we deliver a cohesive, resilient network and adequate planning is essential to ensure any infrastructure delivered is installed in the right location for the right purpose to meet user needs.
178. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the next date scheduled of the EU Transport Ministers Council meeting; and if he will attend this meeting. [21410/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe next meeting of the Council of EU Transport Ministers is scheduled to take place in Luxembourg on 18 June 2024. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, is scheduled to attend.
179. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE data and interoperability managers employed by his Department in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of WTE data and interoperability managers employed by by department in 2023 and to-date in 2024 are laid out below:
|
Grade |
Number |
Duration of Service |
|
Data and Interoperability manager (on Secondment to Department of Transport) |
1 |
November 2023-Present |
180. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE customer services officers employed by Iarnród Éireann in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21431/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of WTE customer service officers employed by Iarnród Éireann for 2022, 2023, and 2024 is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
181. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the money available for the Dart+ south west project to start procurement after the project receives planning permission. [21453/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ South West project.
The DART+ programme comprises of five related projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and eastern region, covering DART+ Fleet, DART+ West, DART+ South West, DART+ Coastal South and DART+ Coastal North projects.
A Railway Order application for DART+ South West was lodged to An Bord Pleanála in March 2023. Subject to the project receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the project, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. Following the procurement process, the project will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
They Deputy may also be aware that funding for the DART+ programme as a whole is provided for under the Government's National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP). A final decision on the funding of the DART+ South West project will be made at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have also 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.
