Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rail Services.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

113 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of additional rail cars which will be deployed on the Maynooth suburban rail line in 2002; the increased capacity which will result from this; and when the rail cars will be deployed. [12037/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The Maynooth line was commissioned as a double track line in early 2000. Twenty diesel railcars were delivered to Iarnród Éireann in 2000 for use on the upgraded Maynooth line. These new railcars and associated track work have increased the capacity of the Maynooth line by over 100% at peak times. Investment on the doubling of the track on the line and the provision of 20 additional diesel railcars amounted to approximately €55 million.

The next major project to impact on the capacity of the route is the upgrading of Connolly Station. This project, currently at the design and planning stage, sets out to increase the capacity of the line between Connolly and Pearse Stations, thereby allowing extra trains, including trains serving the Maynooth line, operate through the city centre.

In addition, Iarnród Éireann will start taking delivery of further new diesel rail cars later this year, 76 of which will be used to enhance suburban rail services in the greater Dublin area, including the Maynooth line. The decision of how many and where the first of these railcars will go is an operational matter and not within my remit.

Seán Ryan

Question:

114 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress to date in respect of Irish Rail DASH programmes; the amount of money made available in the 2002 Estimates to progress this project; and if sufficient finance has been allocated to complete same. [12061/02]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Iarnród Éireann has informed me that over the past two years, a total of 38 new DART cars have been delivered; the final 12 of which are now entering service. These additional DART cars will allow the operation of all six-car DART trains at peak hour. The capacity of the DART system has increased by almost 50% since 2000.

Exchequer funding of €6.79 million was provided in respect of planning and design work on the DASH – DART expansion – project in 2001. This work is now almost complete. A further €27 million in Exchequer funding has been allocated in 2002 and this is in respect of the first phase of the DASH project. With the funding now being made available, I expect the board of CIE to give formal approval shortly to proceed with the project. This phase of the project involves the lengthening of station platforms and the upgrading of the overhead power supply. These works, on completion, will allow for the operation of eight-car trains at peak hour providing a 30% increase in capacity on the DART network. Exchequer funding will also allow for a further 36 DART cars to be purchased by Iarnród Éireann. I expect the order for these new cars to be placed towards the end of this year.