Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
203. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to increase capacity on Irish Rail train services (specifically additional carriages) for train passengers in counties Galway and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49175/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has, on a non-statutory basis, responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in Galway and Roscommon with regards to increasing capacity.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government continues to invest heavily in improving our rail network. This includes initiatives such as the DART+ Programme, and previous Government approval for the purchase of an additional 41 InterCity Railcars, or “ICRs”.
While the existing Iarnród Éireann operational fleet is already fully deployed on scheduled services, delivery of the additional 41 ICRs commenced late last year, and I am pleased to confirm that Iarnród Éireann has, earlier this year, taken delivery of the final batch of these. Once fully commissioned, these will serve to enhance passenger capacity across the rail network.
The National Transport Authority have advised that there are plans to utilise the 41 new ICRs to extend the length of multiple train sets operating on the current rail network, and passengers can expect to see longer trains in operation from Q1 2024 once the commissioning phase for the new carriages is complete.
As part of ongoing work by the NTA and Iarnród Éireann with regard to the deployment of the ICRs, consideration is being given to providing new and additional carriages where passenger demand, available carriages, and suitable infrastructure support such provision. Decisions on this will be made over the coming months.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree that these new carriages and redeployment of existing carriages will greatly assist the NTA and Iarnród Éireann in addressing the issue of growing demand across the rail network.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply to the specific questions asked. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
