I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 to 215, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the DART+ Programme is a cornerstone programme of projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area. As well as DART+ West which the Deputy refers to, the Programme comprises of DART+ Fleet, DART+ South-West, DART+ Coastal (South) and DART+ Coastal (North) projects. Collectively these projects will extend and enhance the current DART system and services west to Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch, south to Greystones and north to Drogheda. In consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including rail in the Greater Dublin Area, is progressing the various projects which are at different stages of planning and development.
The recent approval by Government of the DART+ Preliminary Business Case, permits the purchase of additional DART fleet and also permits the DART+ West project enter the statutory planning process, subject to the completion of the necessary planning and environmental documentation.
I obviously welcome Government’s approval of both DART+ Fleet and DART+ West and look forward to their progress in the coming years.
Further extensions to DART services in the years ahead are being considered as part of the NTA’s review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area which is currently subject to public consultation. The revised Strategy does propose extending DART services beyond Maynooth; however, any such extension is a separate project to the recently approved DART+ West.
The Deputy may recall, in addition to the DART+ Fleet project, Government had previously approved purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars. These additional carriages will arrive toward the end of next year and allow for enhanced services in the GDA upon entry into service in 2023.