Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the REPowerEU funding of €56 million that will be allocated to the electrification works at Drogheda train station to facilitate the charging of battery electric trains, has been drawn down yet from the European Union; if so, when; if he will seek a detailed description on what the funding will provide in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, REPowerEU is the EU’s plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, boost the independence and security of the Union’s energy supply and accelerate the green transition. REPowerEU is financed via the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This is a performance-based instrument and payment is contingent on the verified delivery of milestones and targets. Ireland's REPowerEU Programme, which will form part of our overall National Recovery and Resilience Programme, is valued at €240m.
The Government approved the REPowerEU allocations in February 2024. This decision enabled the finalisation of Ireland’s informal process with the European Commission. Ireland’s REPowerEU Chapter was formally submitted to the European Commission on 22 March 2024 for final assessment, approval and adoption processes.
The installation of the battery charging infrastructure at Drogheda train station, as included in Ireland’s REPowerEU Chapter, will allow for battery-electric rail services to operate from Dublin city centre to/from Drogheda by mid-2026. The draw down of EU funding will be based on the achievement of various milestones and targets. The delivery of all the infrastructure in Drogheda to cater for the battery-electric train carriages will include the charging infrastructure, stabling requirements, signalling changes modifications to the Drogheda depot.
