Written answers

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a timeline in place for when work will begin on the Cork commuter rail corridor following the recent announcement of funding of €185 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31857/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) sets out an ambitious programme of proposed investment in the Cork rail network which will greatly benefit the city region and facilitate compact growth in the coming years. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with Iarnród Éireann to develop an implementation plan to deliver the CMATS' proposals and - together with the forthcoming revision of the National Development Plan - this will be central to the way in which the public transport development envisaged by CMATS will be brought into effect over the coming years.

Furthermore, my Department is currently engaging with colleagues across Government in relation to the preparation of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The transport component of the NRRP comprises an investment in Cork's rail network to support the longer-term objective to provide electrified rail services in the Cork metropolitan area, as set out in the CMATS. This is the largest single project proposed for inclusion in the NRRP and consists of the following works:

- Construction of a new ‘through’ platform within Kent Station to create a suburban rail network between Mallow, Midleton and Cobh;

- Re-signalling of the suburban rail network (62km of track); and

- Double-tracking of current single track between Glounthaune and Midleton (approximately 6 - 8km).

In line with the requirements set by the European Union for inclusion within recovery and resilience plans all works should be completed by end 2026, while it is expected that the works at Kent Station should be completed by end 2024.

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the increase in freight services between counties Mayo and Waterford further demonstrates the need for the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32445/21]

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the progress of the Strategic Rail Review and work to support the expansion of railway investment including commuter services in urban areas and also regional services such as the Western Rail Corridor. [32453/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 199 together.

I very much welcome the increase in freight services referred to by the Deputy and note this new service from the West to the Port of Waterford utilizes the existing rail network from the West without the need for any additional rail infrastructure.

I do believe that rail can play a greater role in freight generally in Ireland and that role needs to be explored fully. That is why the Strategic Rail Review, which will commence very shortly, will consider the potential for rail freight on the island of Ireland.

The Strategic Rail Reviewwill examine how to improve sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhance regional accessibility, support balanced regional development and improve rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight. The Reviewwill consider the potential scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines.

My Department launched the procurement process in April and the tender process is underway. Once completed, I expect work on the Reviewitself to commence shortly thereafter. While the ultimate duration of the Reviewwill be determined by the work programmes submitted by tenderers it is a requirement of the published request for tender that the work take no longer than 12 months.

The Reviewwill not be considering urban commuter rail as that consideration takes place within each of the five cities’ metropolitan area transport strategies; however, obviously the Reviewwill consider the interactions between any improved inter-urban rail service and the urban commuter rail services. There are a number of improvements planned or underway in relation to urban commuter rail, such as –

- Dublin:the DART+ programme will be brought later this year to Government for its approval under the Public Spending Code’s Decision Gate 1, which will allow the first element of the programme enter the statutory planning process;

- Greater Dublin Area:41 additional rail carriages for the wider Greater Dublin Area commuter rail fleet are under construction with delivery scheduled for next year;

- Cork: a €185million investment in Cork’s commuter rail network has been included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan as submitted to the European Commission. Inclusion in the Plan commits toward all works being completed by late 2026;

- Galway: funding has been announced for redevelopment of Ceannt Station and track and station improvements at Oranmore and both projects are scheduled to be completed by 2024;

- Limerick:works are planned to upgrade Colbert Station, while the city’s rail network is under review as part of the development of the metropolitan area transport strategy; and

- Waterford: funding has been announced to support the move of Plunkett Station to a new location on the North Quays.

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of passengers on the DART. [32247/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.

The safety and security of passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are matters first and foremost for the individual public transport companies in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána.

The query raised in relation to the safety of passengers on the DART is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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