Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
120. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will commission a feasibility study to explore the reopening of Kildangan train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46174/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy statute, the National Transport Authority publishes a 20-year Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area every six years. This Strategy considers the strategic transport needs for the people of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, including the potential need for new train stations. The strategy is submitted to me in my role as Minister for Transport for approval and includes a number of rounds of public consultation during which people can put forward their ideas and proposals for consideration.
The GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042 was developed by the NTA and published in 2023. It is currently anticipated that the NTA will commence the process of preparing the succesor Strategy next year, and this will represent an ideal opportunity to assess the feasibility of a rail station at Kildangan as part of an overarching multi-modal consideration of the future transport system.
This review will allow factors such as population growth in the Kildangan area to be weighed against other considerations such as existing rail stations in Monasterevin, Kildare and Athy which are located close to Kildangan and its rural hinterland. The NTA will recommend the best solution for the area considering a range of factors including transport demand, travel patterns and how these might best be served by different transport modes.
I also note that the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published by my Department in July 2024, includes an objective to enhance regional and rural connectivity, with consideration given to new lines and stations to deliver this goal. The Review did not recommend a rail station at Kildangan.
However, it is intended that the Review will be revisited and refreshed approximately once a decade, which will provide another opportunity to consider a station in Kildangan in light of the latest travel demand in the future.
