Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he will make particular provision for demographic issues arising in the County Kildare commuter belt, with particular reference to the need to ensure a thorough evaluation of the current demands and the likely requirements in the near future in the context of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI think it important to firstly acknowledge the significant improvements to public transport planned under the current National Development Plan which will greatly benefit the Kildare commuter belt.
There is the ongoing renewal and enhancement of our PSO bus fleets and services which benefits Kildare, as it does many other areas across the country. Then there is the ongoing construction of the National Train Control Centre which will improve and expand the capacity of the train management system used across our rail network and underpin the service expansion planned under DART+, which will double the capacity of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) commuter rail network and greatly benefit Kildare commuters along both the Maynooth and Kildare Lines. Finally there is of course also the expansion of the existing GDA commuter rail fleet through the addition of 41 additional rail carriages which will also benefit commuters in the Kildare commuter belt and which are scheduled to arrive next year.
Notwithstanding these hugely significant improvements planned or underway the Deputy is right to highlight the need to plan for the future. As the Deputy is aware Kildare forms part of the statutorily defined GDA in the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and its transport needs are therefore considered as part of the National Transport Authority’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035. The Strategy is currently under review as is required every six years and in reviewing it the NTA must have regard to a number of issues as set out in the Act including ‘demographic, economic, social, travel and transport trends’. I would encourage all citizens and public representatives in the Kildare area to contribute to this important review.
