Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

36 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will outline Iarnród Éireann's plans for increasing capacity on all suburban lines serving Dublin and on the DART; if she has sanctioned funding in respect of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24134/01]

Ivor Callely

Question:

76 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the mechanisms which are in place to ensure Iarnród Éireann utilises the new DART carriages to help service the need for additional peak hour capacity; the reason some DART services have only two carriages at peak travel times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24153/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 76 together.

In recognition of the urgent need for additional peak-hour capacity in the greater Dublin area, the national development plan provides for significant investment in suburban rail services including DART.

In the past 12 months, 26 new DART cars have entered service. They are to be supplemented next year by a further 12. Iarnród Éireann holds options on a further 36 DART cars.

Iarnród Éireann has also developed investment proposals for a major upgrade in the DART network to provide further significant increases in capacity beyond 2002. The proposals provide for the lengthening of platforms to accommodate eight car trains, a major upgrade of the signalling capacity to allow an increased number of trains in the city centre area and increased power supply for operating the enhanced network.

My Department is in ongoing discussion with Iarnród Éireann in relation to these proposals. Some £3.5 million or 4.45 million was allocated by my Department in 2001 in respect of planning and design work for the DART upgrades. Further details of the timescales involved will be determined as planning and design progresses.

As far as other suburban services are concerned, Iarnród Éireann have placed orders for 80 diesel rail cars for use throughout their net-work. These will be funded under the national development plan and from Iarnród Éireann's own resources. Some of these cars will be used to replace outdated stock on the outer suburban lines, while others will be used to provide higher capacity and more frequent services throughout the network.

As the Deputies may be aware, the DART depot in Fairview was the scene of a very serious fire earlier this year. I am informed by Iarnród Éireann that four DART cars were destroyed while a further four suffered damage which will require major refurbishment. This removes a total of eight cars from daily service and has led to some reduction in capacity at peak hours. However, I understand from Iarnród Éireann that there are no two-car DART sets operating at peak hours.