Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lawless for raising this issue. He is correct that I am well aware of the problems which he has outlined in the Sallins and Naas area, and on many of the routes which he represents so well and so often in this House.

I have no doubt that both Deputy Lawless and I welcome the increased number of passengers availing of the improved train services along the Kildare line. The increases have been made possible through the improved level of services provided through increased public service obligation, PSO, funding, as well as the increased levels of capital expenditure on projects such as the completed Phoenix Park tunnel and the ongoing city centre resignalling project.

I have a script which I will provide to Deputy Lawless. I apologise, as I should have given it to him earlier. It might be helpful to him. I am happy to say that we are providing further increases to funding as part of Project Ireland 2040, which will further improve capacity on the Kildare line. The improvements include the DART expansion programme and the improved management of the overall network, which the new national train control centre will provide.

However, I recognise that in the short term, there are of course pressures across the network at certain places and at certain times. Car parking at Sallins is one of those pressure points. The pressures have increased with the expanded and improved level of service, as well as the inclusion of the station within the short-hop zone. Together, they have all led to increased demand, on what I know is a relatively limited amount of car parking at the station.

As the Deputy is probably aware, my Department provides funding through the NTA for car parking at train stations in the greater Dublin area, GDA. I can inform the Deputy that there is a project under development to significantly extend the number of car parking spaces available at the station. On foot of the funding provided through the NTA, larnród Éireann has been preparing the detailed planning and design and will take the lead on implementation. This will be a significant project, costing approximately €2 million, and will result in a total of approximately 445 spaces being made available for commuters, which is an increase of approximately 270 spaces on the current number.

In terms of progress, the various surveys have all been completed and pre-planning discussions with the council are ongoing. There have been some slight delays to the timelines as compared with those the Deputy was provided with by the NTA last September, which unfortunately has pushed out delivery times a little.

I am now informed that a tender will issue very shortly to secure a contractor for the physical works. Subject to planning, it is hoped to start actual construction later in the summer or early autumn. Construction will take between nine and 12 months and so the revamped car park will likely be ready by the second quarter of next year.

While I can completely understand the frustrations of commuters today regarding the car park, I hope they can take some comfort from the fact that works to address this issue are well under way.

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