Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when works are due to commence on the extension of the commuter rail service, as set out in the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39737/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The new Capital Plan under which there is a seven year funding envelope for transport from 2016-2022 will see a number of enhancements to commuter rail services. Works on the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel will be completed next year. Together with the completion of resignalling works between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock in 2016, the project will allow regular commuter trains operate through the Phoenix Park Tunnel for the first time, and increasing the number of train services which can operate on the line between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock. Services on the Kildare commuter line will be a mix of Kildare to Dublin Heuston and Kildare to Grand Canal Dock services, offering new more direct connections to commuters. These new services will commence in Autumn 2016.

The National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are actively examining a proposal to increase the DART frequency to 10 minutes in the peak commencing early in 2016 to improve the service to customers and that the necessary funding issues involved are being considered at present.

In the longer term, the Capital Plan will also see the commencement of the the first phase of a multi-phase DART expansion programme, with the extension of the DART line to Balbriggan and with design and planning to progress for expansion of DART services to Maynooth in the west and Hazelhatch in the south west. The Dart Underground Project, which remains a key element of integrated transport for the GDA over the longer term, will be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity.