Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
296. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport to ensure that the NTA delivers the proposed additional 33D bus service for Donabate; if he will confirm that the active travel and road projects for Donabate can be delivered before 2027; and if the DART+ Coastal North include an upgrade and electrification for Donabate. [3229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, please see below an update on transport related investment in the environs of Donabate.
As 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 (including the 33D service) 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.
Concerning rail, DART+ Coastal North provides an extension of DART services from the City Centre to Drogheda. Planning approval for DART+ Costal North was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in August 2025. The programme includes:
• An extension of existing overhead electric wires to Drogheda by approximately 37km;
• Reconfiguration of the existing track layout and associated infrastructure at Clongriffin, Malahide, and Howth Junction and Donaghmede stations;
• Construction of a new platform at Drogheda MacBride Station;
• Modifications to existing depots at Drogheda MacBride and Fairview;
• Undertaking upgrades to existing signalling, telecoms and power supplies to support the planned increase in train services; including the introduction of new electrical substations at key locations alongside the railway line including Donabate.
The Review of the National Development Plan (NDP) has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The NDP Sectoral Implementation Plan, which was published by my Department in November 2025, notes that there is potential to commence works on other elements of DART+ Coastal North, including supporting infrastructure such as track passing loops and a new platform at Drogheda station over the period 2026-2030, in advance of works on Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE).
DART+ Fleet provides a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train fleet. Three fleet orders have been placed comprising both battery-electric and electric carriages, bringing the total number of DART carriages ordered to 285, made up of 57 five-carriage trains. 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
In relation to active travel, there are four key active travel projects in the environs of Donabate. An update on each project is set out below:
• Broadmeadow Estuary Cycle & Pedestrian Bridge – This project will be delivered in stages. Construction of the Broadmeadow Estuary Bridge took place in 2024, and construction of causeway works are expected to commence during the summer months of 2026 and continue into 2027. The Donabate and Malahide landward works will take place during a similar timeframe. Due to the seasonal constraints of working within the estuary, along with the technical challenges of building on the Northern Causeway, it is expected that the completion of the Broadmeadow Way will be in late 2027 or in 2028;
• Donabate Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge –Works were completed in 2025;
• Donabate Hearse Rd/Main Street/Portrane Road (Link 1 & Link 2) – This project is at optioneering stage with feasible design works and viable route identification to be continued into 2026;
• Donabate to Portrane – Options report for this project has been completed and the local authority is working with the NTA on project approval in 2026. Construction works are planned for 2029.
