Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
273. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if the contracts for electrification of the Cork to Midleton and the Cork to Cobh railway lines have been signed; if his Department has signed any procurement contract to purchase new electric trains to service both railway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has ringfenced moneys from the European Union stimulus plan (details supplied) to fund the new rail work in Cork; the amount that has been ringfenced; if this will also include a number of new railway stations along the existing lines on the Cork to Cobh and the Cork to Midleton railway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37583/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport when his Department will have approval of all procurement contracts for new electric trains and carriages for the Cork to Midleton and the Cork to Cobh railway lines to be signed off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 275, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, which the National Transport Authority will implement in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, targets a 10-minute all-day frequency on electrified rail services running from Mallow to Midleton and Cobh. Phase 1 of the programme will be part-funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility and is scheduled for completion by 2026. Funding of €164 million is allocated to Phase 1 of the programme through the National Recovery & Resilience Plan (NRRP), as agreed by the EU Commission.
In line with the development of adjacent areas and wider improvements on the rail network, a number of new stations are planned as part of the overall Cork Commuter Rail Programme, taking in both Phase 1 to the end of 2026 and Phase 2 thereafter. As the Deputy may also be aware, under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), the National Transport Authority have proposed a number of new rail stations in the Cork area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in both CMATS and the delivery of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme (in co-operation with Iarnród Éireann), I have referred the Deputy's questions to it for a more detailed reply on the specific matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
