Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
546. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of updating trains and rail infrastructure to cope with projected capacity increases in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [23396/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra547. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of upgrading heavy rail to operate on electricity. [23397/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of upgrading rail systems to include critical safety control and communications systems such as a system for mobile communications, a national train control centre and automatic train protection. [23399/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 547 and 549 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2018 provided a four-year enhanced capital envelope for public transport of over €2.7 billion to 2021 including funding of over €400 million for investment in public transport in 2018. This increased funding will allow the roll-out of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints and enhance safety on our public transport system across our cities.
In response to the Deputy I am assuming the question relates to the heavy rail network. Over €220 million capital investment in heavy rail infrastructure is allocated between now and 2021. This will deliver: the City Centre Re-signalling Project to improve speeds on mainline rail; a new rail Central Traffic Control Centre; progress on the DART Expansion Programme to include increase rail fleet and further progress on electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line, and currently a contract is underway to introduce 28 rail carriages that are expected to re-enter service in 2019. Additionally, Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are assessing the availability of additional fleet that could be introduced to passenger service on the rail network in Ireland in the short-term, prior to the delivery of new diesel electric trains expected in 2022.
Capital funding also includes investment in maintenance and safety projects including the development of an automatic train protection system and enhanced communications system, to maintain safety and service levels in railway operations of our national railway system. Multi-annual funding of almost €30 million over the next four years will continue the programme of retro-fitting older, existing public transport facilities to improve their accessibility features. This effectively triples the previously planned investment amount.
In addition to capital funding allocations, there are also a number other heavy rail measures being taken in the short-term to deliver additional transport capacity, including a 10 minute DART service that will be provided later this year and the current peak time rail services from the Kildare Rail Line linking with the City Centre through the Phoenix Park Tunnel will be expanded to provide an all-day service.
