Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Transport when in line with national development plan targets he expects work to begin on new commuter rail services in Cork and Galway; the funds he has allocated to achieving this target since 2007; his projected spending targets on these projects until 2013; if his Department has conducted value for money audits; the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22715/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the Cork Commuter Rail Project is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I understand that work is progressing well on the works to reopen the Cork-Midleton line. I'm informed that Iarnród Éireann expects the construction work to be completed by the end of April 2009 and services to commence during the summer of 2009.

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that work is also progressing well on phase one of the Western Rail Corridor project which provides for commuter services along the Limerick-Ennis-Gort-Athenry-Galway route. Iarnród Éireann expects the construction work to be completed in May 2009 and services on this route are also expected to commence during the summer of 2009. My Department has approved Exchequer funding of €106 million for the Western Rail Corridor and €80.3 million for the Cork-Midleton project.

Both projects were subject to appraisal including cost benefit analysis in accordance with the Department of Finance Capital Appraisal Guidelines.