Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount in total that was allocated to the DART upgrade programme; the amount that has been drawn down to date; the amounts allocated and drawn down in regard to the upgrade works and to the purchase of rolling stock for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31346/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The DART upgrade project involved the extension of platforms to cater for longer trains, the provision of full accessibility, where possible, for mobility and sensory impaired customers at DART stations, the enhancement of overhead line components and the insertion of further sub-stations along the route. The approved budget for the project was €176 million. At the end of October, €141.4 million has been drawn down for the project. The project will be completed, on time, at the end of this year and I understand from Iarnród Éireann that the total cost is now estimated at €165 million.

In addition to the DART upgrade project, a total of €70.11 million has been provided from the Exchequer for the purchase of 40 new DART railcars. All of this funding has been drawn down. The railcars are now in use on the DART lines from Greystones and Bray to Howth and Malahide. With the completion of the DART upgrade project and the introduction of the new railcars, the capacity on DART services will have increased by 100% since 2000.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received a request for funding from the Railway Procurement Agency to facilitate the provision of increased carriage on existing Luas line services; if so, the amount sought; if this funding will be forthcoming from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31372/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the development of specific proposals for the expansion of Luas services lies with the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA. My Department is discussing proposals for a capacity enhancement programme on the Tallaght Luas line with the RPA. An outline business case for this programme has been approved by the board of the RPA and submitted to my Department. Financial provision has been made for this capacity enhancement of the Luas network in Transport 21, the capital investment framework announced yesterday.