Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As I mentioned in my response to Deputy Troy, the DART expansion programme is a key feature of Dublin's future transport infrastructure that is proposed in the NTA's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area for 2016 to 2035. The DART expansion programme is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all the lines linked and connected. The estimated cost of the DART expansion programme is €2 billion. The NTA and Iarnród Éireann are in the process of defining an overall integrated schedule for the DART expansion programme with numerous projects to be completed by 2027.

As I mentioned, as part of the DART expansion programme and the move to a ten-minute frequency for DART services, Iarnród Éireann introduced a new timetable on Sunday, 9 September to provide for enhanced DART frequency. The new DART timetable involves increasing services between Bray and Howth Junction and Donaghmede from a 15 minute frequency to a ten-minute frequency, with the Howth Junction and Donaghmede to Howth and Malahide segments of the network improving from a 30 minute DART service to a 20 minute service. The DART service from Greystones to Bray remains at a 30 minute frequency.

Frequently, the introduction of new timetables gives rise to some teething issues that need to be addressed to improve the service for customers. As I indicated in my response to the Deputy's earlier priority question, the main issue that has arisen with this timetable change relates to capacity on the north side of Dublin. I am assured that Iarnród Éireann is working with the NTA to iron out those problems, and I am aware that as a direct response to customer feedback, Iarnród Éireann has introduced additional services which will particularly benefit those commuters in Portmarnock.

In summary, with the two additional services now added by Iarnród Éireann, Portmarnock now has the same number of peak morning services as it had before the timetable change and Clongriffin has one extra. Iarnród Éireann has stated that it believes that these changes will address the frequency concerns from customers from Portmarnock and Clongriffin and the capacity issues that have arisen, especially at DART stations such as Harmonstown and Killester.

See this speech in context