Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
110. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase train capacity to alleviate overcrowding for Kildare commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15358/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are various initiatives under development which will boost rail capacity and help alleviate train over-crowding for Kildare commuters in the years ahead.
The DART+ West and South West projects in particular will support greater rail frequency and capacity for County Kildare. Funding provided in the NDP Sectoral Plan, which was published by my Department last November, provides for construction to start on DART+ West next year. This key project will provide an extension of DART services from Dublin city to M3 Parkway and Maynooth, as well as the construction of a new rail depot and city centre enhancements as part of the broader upgrade to boost Dublin rail capacity.
Funding under the Sectoral Plan also allowed Compulsory Purchase Orders to commence this month for the DART+ South West project from Dublin city to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. This will enable the DART+ South West project to move forward into procurement, ahead of construction which can be considered as part of the NDP review around 2028.
In addition, three orders for new DART trains have been placed in recent years, comprising both battery-electric and electric carriages, bringing the total number of new DART carriages ordered to 285. Deployment of the first and second trains orders around Dublin will free up existing Intercity and Commuter trains to be used on other rail routes. This carriage redeployment will be decided on by the National Transport Authority and it could boost rail services for Kildare commuters from late 2027, ahead of the implementation of the infrastructure upgrades under DART+ West and South West.
I look forward to seeing all of these important projects advance and deliver additional rail passenger capacity and services for the people of County Kildare.
