Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the intended start date for construction at a rail stop at Crusheen on the Ennis to Galway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4450/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government's capital investment programme to 2016 prioritised the funding available for transport to protect investments made to date and to maintain safety standards. The limited funding available over and above this priority was to be allocated to projects which are affordable, meet overall transport objectives and deliver the best return in terms of economic recovery and job creation.

On the heavy rail side the bulk of the funding is required for rail safety and renewal. However the Plan did include funding for new  rail stations at Kishogue, Hansfield, Oranmore and Crusheen.  To date Hansfield and Oranmore stations have been opened while planning issues and other delays have  hampered progress at both Kishogue  and Crusheen.  Capital funding for Irish rail was also reduced in 2012 to support the emergency funding required by the CIE Group at that time.  This led to a re-prioritisation of the heavy rail capital projects and to a longer delivery time line for some projects including the new rail stations. Notwithstanding  the difficulties it is my intention that a rail stop at Crusheen will be provided within the life time of the current capital programme.