Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2017
438. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if design plans for the electrification of the Maynooth rail line in 2018 will be completed in order to have the project in a state of readiness ahead of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the progress made to date regarding the design work that has been carried out on the proposed electrification of the Maynooth train line will be published; his plans to extend this project to Kilcock; if consideration has been given to extending the project further in view of the fact that these areas are part of the suburban rail network price and-or fare structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in line with the Government’s budgetary framework set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 published in September 2015, the Government's recently announced Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021.
This includes funding in the region of €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement. This will enable commencement of the initial stages of the DART Expansion programme, focussing on additional fleet and extending the electrified DART system. It will also allow further progress to be made on the electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line.
Limited design work has been carried out on the electrification of the Northern Line to Maynooth to date. Following the additional funding announced as a result of the capital plan review, it is intended to reactivate the design and planning work for this project during 2018.
At this stage it is not possible to be prescriptive on the construction commencement date as this can only be finalised following the completion of initial design work. However, it is likely to be 2021 before building work starts, subject to receipt of the necessary statutory planning approval. Planning consent is likely to be sought during 2020.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 which provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades does not envisage an extension of the line beyond Maynooth.
In light of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for further information on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
