Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:90 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be made available to Iarnród Éireann to extend and upgrade its rolling stock; and the amount involved. [23198/02]
Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Significant Exchequer and EU funds have been invested in recent years to upgrade the rolling stock available to Iarnród Éireann and increase the capacity of the network. CIE has or will shortly have on order rolling stock to the value of approximately €340 million. This new rolling stock will provide a higher quality and capacity of service on DART, suburban and inter-city services. I recently approved an Exchequer contribution of €33 million in the current year towards the largest ever carriage investment in the history of Irish railways. This will assist in the purchase of 67 new mainline rail carriages by Iarnród Éireann. I also recently approved the provision of approximately €21 million in Exchequer funds in the current year towards the acquisition of a further 36 new DART cars. Further funding will be available to Iarnród Éireann at various stages as the construction of these carriages progresses.
In addition, my Department is in discussions with Iarnród Éireann regarding further rolling stock acquisition. Decisions with regard to further Exchequer investment in rolling stock will be taken in the context of the strategic priorities identified in the strategic rail review and the financial resources available to my Department and Iarnród Éireann.