Written answers

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network Expansion

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to advance his priorities for expanding the commuter rail network; if he has deadlines for such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39083/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The Rail Review has recently been published and a public consultation on the report has been launched. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to open up a public discussion on the current and future role of rail in Ireland as well as the funding of the rail network and services. The public consultation process is open until 18th January and no decisions will be taken on the future of the rail network or rail services until the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.

As set out in the Rail Review, funding for the operation and maintenance of the rail network was significantly reduced during the economic downturn and has not recovered to a sustainable level. The main emphasis of funding for the rail network under the Capital Plan is on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. Based on the funding allocations for public transport under the Capital Plan we should achieve steady state levels by 2020. In view of the current constraints on availability of funding, this remains our focus, rather than expanding the network. The Government has committed to a review of the Capital Plan in 2017 and I am determined to make a case for public transport investment to be both increased and accelerated in order to address our growing transport needs.

With the funding available under the capital plan, we have been able to complete work on a small number of projects aimed at improving the performance of the network.  Work on the Phoenix Park Tunnel was completed this year and, as the Deputy will be aware, it opened for services on the 21st November 2016 enabling passenger services on the Kildare Line to continue straight into the heart of the business district in the city centre. 

In addition, funding under the Capital Plan has been allocated for the completion of the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre which will improve rail movements through Dublin city centre and help improve movements more widely on the network as well.

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