Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
603. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected start date for construction at a rail stop at Crusheen on the Ennis to Galway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27936/14]
View answerThe lifetime of the Government's current capital investment plan runs to 2016 and with the available funding the priority for heavy rail is to protect the operational network and maintain safety standards, rather than the expansion of the network. The bulk of the funding is required for rail safety and renewal. However the Plan did include funding for new rail stations at Kishogue, Hansfield, Oranmore and Crusheen. To date Hansfield and Oranmore stations have been opened while planning issues and other delays have hampered progress at both Kishogue and Crusheen. Capital funding for Irish Rail was also reduced in 2012 to support the emergency funding required by the CIE Group at that time. This led to a re-prioritisation of the heavy rail capital projects and to a longer delivery time line for some projects including the new rail stations. Preparatory work on a new government capital investment plan to 2019 has begun. This will involve a focused review of the current plan and take account of investment priorities for the next five years. If additional funds are available over and above what is required to maintain existing assets there will be many competing transport projects across all modes. Only projects for which there is a clear identifiable need, which are affordable, have a robust business case and add value to existing infrastructure, will be prioritised for funding in the new capital plan.
That is why I have asked Irish Rail to revisit their current proposals for Crusheen rail stop which have a construction cost in the order of €2 million and see if a lower cost alternative is feasible. It is my intention to provide for a rail stop at Crusheen.
