Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects extra rail carriages to be made available throughout the north County Kildare commuter belt in the course of the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62743/21]
View answer217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total expected investment in the rail service throughout County Kildare with particular reference to increasing the services to meet increased demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62748/21]
View answer228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which rail carriages on all lines throughout the country have been upgraded or are in course to so be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62793/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 217 and 228 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Government continues to invest substantially in the rail network. This is apparent on several fronts:
- through the increased funding in recent years through the IMMAC for the safety and maintenance of the network;
- the very recent approval by Government of the Preliminary Business Case for DART+ Programme; and
- previous Government approval for the purchase of additional 41 ICRs.
All of the above will allow for increased services to meet increased demand not just in County Kildare but across the rail network.
The DART+ Programme will extend and enhance the current DART system and services west to Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch. The DART+ Fleet project which will introduce electric and battery electric units to the DART network over time, and may allow for the introduction of DART services in County Kildare in advance of electrification of lines. It is expected that the delivery of the 41 additional InterCity Railcars will commence in Q3 next year allowing for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service in 2023.
As the Deputy will observe, new carriages and the subsequent redeployment of existing carriages will allow NTA and IÉ address the issue of growing demand. Specific to the Deputy's query on the upgrading of carriages, the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network is in the first instance a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) and noting same, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for detailed direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
