Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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535. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the DART extension to Balbriggan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49889/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the overall DART Expansion Programme. 

The Government's budgetary framework for capital investment, as set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, was reviewed earlier this year in the context of the Mid-Term Review of capital priorities, delivery and funding.  Following this work, Budget 2018 increased the multi-annual capital investment funding envelopes for the coming four-year period, including providing an enhanced capital envelope of €2.7 billion for public transport investment between 2018 and 2021.  Amongst other deliverables, this enhanced allocation will enable acceleration of the initial stages of the overall DART Expansion Programme, focussing particularly at this stage on providing additional fleet to enhance capacity, and extending the electrified DART system. Specifically, it will allow substantial progress on electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan - now expected to be delivered in 2022 - and the Maynooth line.  

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for further information on the issue raised.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.