Iarnród Éireann has informed me that over the past two years, a total of 38 new DART cars have been delivered; the final 12 of which are now entering service. These additional DART cars will allow the operation of all six-car DART trains at peak hour. The capacity of the DART system has increased by almost 50% since 2000.
Exchequer funding of €6.79 million was provided in respect of planning and design work on the DASH – DART expansion – project in 2001. This work is now almost complete. A further €27 million in Exchequer funding has been allocated in 2002 and this is in respect of the first phase of the DASH project. With the funding now being made available, I expect the board of CIE to give formal approval shortly to proceed with the project. This phase of the project involves the lengthening of station platforms and the upgrading of the overhead power supply. These works, on completion, will allow for the operation of eight-car trains at peak hour providing a 30% increase in capacity on the DART network. Exchequer funding will also allow for a further 36 DART cars to be purchased by Iarnród Éireann. I expect the order for these new cars to be placed towards the end of this year.