Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021
23. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of a new DART service to Hazelhatch and Celbridge on the Kildare line as part of the DART plus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32204/21]
View answer24. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he has examined the possibility of extending the DART+ south west project as far as Sallins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32451/21]
View answer62. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the status of the plans to extend the DART northwards to Balbriggan. [32248/21]
View answer92. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed extension of the DART to Lucan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31712/21]
View answer217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he remains satisfied that the currently proposed extension of DART facilities to north County Kildare sufficiently addresses the needs of the towns such as Naas, Sallins, Celbridge, Hazelhatch as well as Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey having regard to the various concerns expressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32757/21]
View answer218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when work on the upgrading and the electrification of the Maynooth rail line is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 24, 62, 92, 217 and 218 together.
As the Deputies are aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including planning and implementation of the DART+ Programme.
The DART+ Programme is a cornerstone programme of projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area which comprises of DART fleet, as well as the DART+ Coastal (North), DART+ Coastal (south), DART+ West and DART+ South-West projects. The NTA in consultation with Iarnród Éireann is progressing the various projects which are at varying stages of planning and development.
I can confirm that my Department has received a Preliminary Business Case for the overall programme and that Preliminary Business Case is under review as required by the Public Spending Code. Following the required reviews, the Preliminary Business Case will be brought to Government for its approval as required under Decision Gate 1 under the Public Spending Code and, if approved, that will permit the purchase of additional DART fleet and will also permit the DART+ West project enter the statutory planning process, subject to the completion of the necessary planning and environmental documentation.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
