Dáil debates

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

3:10 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which rail services can be tailored to meet the ongoing travel requirements of commuters with particular reference to identifying how best the rail services in general can meet the demands of medium to middle distance commuters from towns and villages outside the greater Dublin area thereby alleviating road traffic congestion and reducing travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4339/15]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question attempts to focus on the need to ensure the maximum availability of rail transport services for commuters both within the greater Dublin area and inter-regionally.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my answer to the Priority Question No. 127. I have touched on the Supplementary Estimate I brought in the purpose of which is to address the points the Deputy has raised. Some additional points are pertinent to the question he has put to me on public transport use and integration. Since 2011, €143 million has been topped up on Leap cards. For 2014 alone, that was €77 million, with 61 million journeys taken via Leap cards across last year.

The Deputy put to me a question on the greater Dublin area. I looked at that question in the context of Kildare and some of the services that are available. There have been no changes to the Kildare rail service since January 2013.

The number of passengers on the Kildare line in the first three quarters of 2013, which is the most recent figure available to me, was 1.3 million compared to 1.28 million in the same period in 2013, which is an increase of 1.5% over the year.

3:15 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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In the context of economic revival, what level of forward planning is taking place to ensure services develop to meet the needs of commuters in the greater Dublin area and other cities and centres of population?

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As I indicated in response to questions from Deputies Dooley and Ellis, before Christmas the Department introduced a Supplementary Estimate of €101 million specifically for public transport. This funding was allocated towards the modernisation of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets and renewal and infrastructure works on busy parts of the rail network. These works are under way and I hope we will find ways to have similar work done throughout 2015.

The Deputy also asked about long-term planning. The strategic framework for investment in land transport is examining future transport needs, assessing current expenditure on transport and identifying the funding gap that needs to be closed. I am engaged in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, on this very point.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Is consideration being given to improving parking facilities throughout the regions? Motorists in north County Kildare must frequently continue their journey into Dublin city by car because of the inadequate number of parking spaces available at railway stations during the morning rush hour. What is the position regarding the development of a spatial strategy in terms of demographics? To what extent will the maximum level of rail services be provided to meet the needs of commuters?

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I intend to commence a public consultation on rail policy. As Deputy Durkan is aware, the rail service plays an important role in meeting transport needs. It also has specific funding needs and must continually fund maintenance and renewal works on the rail system. This is one of the reasons almost €50 million was allocated to Irish Rail before Christmas. We also maintained the public service obligation funding to the CIE group last year.

The allocation of transport services to meet demand is being done through the strategic framework on investment in land transport to which I referred. We will also make a decision on large public transport projects for different parts of Dublin city. I address this issue in previous replies.