Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2019
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to funding for the re-establishment of the rail line from Dublin to Kingscourt, County Cavan; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21797/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if discussions have taken place on providing funding for the extension of the railway line from Navan to Kingscourt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17897/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 176 together.
Project Ireland 2040 states that the priority funding objective in relation to mainline rail is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network so that it continues to provide a safe and reliable infrastructure that enables the provision of quality rail services for passengers across the country.
As the Deputy is aware, the funding I have secured under Project Ireland 2040 means that we are in a position to provide the steady state level of funding required through a significant and recurring capital investment of around €200 million from the taxpayer every year.
Another of the commitments contained within Project Ireland 2040 is to continue to keep under review the potential extension of the existing M3/Parkway Line northwards to Navan. The next review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area must be completed by 2021 and that review will reconsider the population and commuting forecasts in order to determine whether any revised Strategy might include such an extension.
Currently the Kingscourt area is served by bus based public transport and I note that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area categorises the M3/N2 route as a core regional bus network and the area will therefore benefit from the planned improvements along that corridor under Project Ireland 2040.
I can therefore confirm to the Deputy that there is no funding allocated under Project Ireland 2040 for the disused Kingscourt rail line.
