Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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531. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of proposed augmentation and investment in rail services over the next five years with particular reference to the extent that services can be tailored to meet the ongoing travel requirements of commuters, namely, identifying how best the rail services in general can meet the demands of medium to middle distance commuters from towns and villages outside of the greater Dublin area, thereby alleviating road traffic congestion and reducing travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49452/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Budget 2018 provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion to 2021. This includes investment of over €1 billion in heavy rail infrastructure. The investment will be used to maintain safety and services levels on the rail network and will also fund projects such as the new rail Central Traffic Control Centre to improve national rail movements; the City Centre Re-signalling Project; fleet acquisition and the DART Capacity Enhancement Programme.

In Budget 2018 I also secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO bus and rail services throughout the country. This means that in 2018 over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years.

Noting the responsibilities of the NTA and Iarnród Éireann, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to both organisations for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.