Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey. Rail services in the south east have improved significantly in recent years, reflecting the sustained high levels of investment in the railway network generally. Over the period 2000-09 a total of €2.9 billion in capital funding and €1.69 billion in current funding has been invested in railway infrastructure and services. The railway network in the south east has benefited from this.

Following significant investment in track, signalling and other infrastructure on the Dublin-Waterford and Dublin-Rosslare lines, the recent focus of investment in the south east has been on new fleet, with resulting benefits in frequency for customers. The Waterford-Dublin route is now fully operated by larnród Eireann's new intercity railcar fleet, which provides customers with a modern, comfortable and reliable rail service. This has allowed an expansion in services, with seven trains daily now operating from Waterford to Dublin. This includes a new express 7.10 a.m. Waterford to Dublin line, introduced in November 2009, with a journey time of two hours, calling only at Carlow en route.

All Rosslare Europort and Wexford-Dublin services are now also operated by larnród Eireann's new intercity railcar fleet. larnród Eireann has expanded services between Wexford and Dublin from a service of three trains each way daily up to 2008 to five trains each way daily over 2008 and 2009. Rail freight operations in the south east have also been expanded with increased container traffic and pulpwood traffic between Ballina and Waterford.

Despite these service improvements that have supported increased passenger carriage in recent years, larnród Eireann is facing a very severe financial challenge following a decline in passenger numbers in 2008 and 2009. In response, larnród Eireann is implementing a wide ranging cost recovery plan to ensure its financial viability. In this context, I understand the company is considering the suspension of services on the Waterford-Rosslare line. The line, on which one train operates each way daily, has experienced low patronage for many years with approximately 25 passengers each way per day. I understand that revenue covers only 2% of operating costs. In addition, the sugar beet freight business, which sustained the viability of the line, ceased in 2006 following the cessation of the sugar beet business in Ireland.

Decisions in regard to services such as those on the Waterford-Rosslare route are a matter for larnród Éireann having regard to the resources available to it. I understand that larnród Éireann has surveyed customers on the route in terms of origin and destination and is examining possible alternative services which could be provided to customers on the route. larnród Éireann expects to make a decision in regard to the service in the coming weeks. I also understand that it is exploring with interested parties the possibility of establishing a heritage railway on the route, which would be of benefit to tourism in the area.

Railway services in the south east have benefited from investment in railway infrastructure and rolling stock under the NDP, Transport 21 and from the annual subvention to larnród Éireann. This will continue to be the case but larnród Éireann, in view of the pressures on the resources available to it from fares and Exchequer funds, must also address the matter of low patronage services as part of its ongoing efforts to achieve break-even.

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