Patricia Ryan
Ceist:154. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the DART+ South West Project to Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56646/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 November 2021
Ceisteanna (154)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including planning and implementation of the DART+ Programme.
The DART+ Programme is a cornerstone programme of projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area. The Programme comprises of DART Fleet, as well as the DART+ West, DART+ South-West, DART+ Coastal (South) and DART+ Coastal (North) projects. Collectively these projects will extend and enhance the current DART system and services west to Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch, south to Greystones and north to Drogheda. The NTA in consultation with Iarnród Éireann is progressing the various projects which are at varying stages of planning and development.
The scope of the DART+ Programme as will be progressed through the statutory planning system is as set out in the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. However, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the NTA is currently consulting on revisions to the Transport Strategy and a public consultation period is open until early December. The draft Strategy published for public consultation does include proposals to extend DART services further once the DART+ Programme has been delivered and I would encourage the Deputy to make her views known on any such extensions as part of that public consultation process.