Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

576. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of future expansion of the Dublin Area Rapid Transit to Leixlip, Maynooth and Celbridge in County Kildare, if he will consider extending the service to Kilcock in County Kildare, and to Enfield in County Meath, given the population expansion in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41215/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​There are no plans to extend the rail network to Kilcock, Co. Kildare or to Enfield, Co. Meath. The National Transport Authority is currently finalising the draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (2016-2035) following a recent public consultation process. This strategy provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) for the next two decades. The draft strategy envisages the extension of Dart to the existing rail stations at Maynooth and Hazelhatch. This would provide an enhancement to existing services for commuters from the wider catchment areas in Counties Kildare and Meath, including Kilcock and Enfield.

The extension of Dart to Maynooth and Hazelhatch, which would also necessitate the construction of the Dart Underground Tunnel, would be subject to business case approval and availability of funding in the context of the next Capital Plan post-2022.