Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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305. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the most recent feasibility study into the reopening of Killucan railway station was carried out; and his views regarding the potential and likelihood of same. [10636/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance, including any relevant feasibility studies.

Iarnród Éireann remains in a challenging position financially and has limited resources of its own available to fund new projects. The company has not made any proposal to my Department regarding Killucan station and the reopening of the station is not included in the public transport projects under the Government's current Capital Plan.

The first priority under the Capital Plan is to ensure the maintenance of our existing transport infrastructure at steady state levels so that it remains safe and fit for purpose. Present funding allocations should see steady state levels of maintenance by 2020. In view of the current constraints on funding, the priority for the heavy rail network under the Plan is to improve efficiency and maintain safety standards, rather than expanding the network, opening new stations or re-opening existing stations.

The Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan this year will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, including in the transport sector, taking economic growth and fiscal progress into account.

There would be many competing demands within the Public Transport Sector if additional funds were to become available arising from the mid-term review. All projects would be subject to robust analysis and would require strong business cases to justify their value and demonstrate how they would significantly improve the public transport system.