Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport the total number of parking places provided at the rail stations of Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Confey, Hazelhatch and Sallins; if it is intended to provide extra car parking in the near future in view of the lack of adequate space at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6465/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will direct the provision of extra parking facilities adjacent to all rail stations throughout north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6466/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.

Park and ride facilities are an element of the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, transport strategy 2000 to 2016, A Platform for Change. There are two main types of park and ride facilities, bus-based, where scheduled bus services operate from purpose built car parks, and rail-based, where parking at rail stations can effectively widen the catchment of the rail services. There are currently a total of 576 parking spaces in the areas outlined by the Deputy. The DTO working group on rail-based park and ride, consisting of DTO, Iarnród Éireann, RPA and GDA local authorities, produced a strategy for the development of rail-based park and ride facilities in the GDA in November 2004.

I am acutely aware of the need to have adequate park and ride facilities in order to facilitate the modal shift from car use to the use of public transport. I am considering the findings and recommendations made in this strategy, which includes a recommendation for the provision of additional or enhanced parking facilities at various stations. I will address this matter in consultation with the relevant authorities.