Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1360. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to bring DART services to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54382/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1362. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be progress on the expansion of the DART to the Kildare line in view of the mid-term capital review 2018 to 2021; if not, the other improvements planned up to 2021 to improve capacity and frequency of services on the Kildare line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54423/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1360 and 1362 together.

The DART Expansion Programme has a key role to play in delivering an efficient transport system. When fully implemented the enhancements to the heavy rail system provided for in the NTA's Transport Strategy will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected. This integrated rail network will provide the core high capacity transit system for the region and will deliver a very substantial increase in peak-hour capacity on all lines from Drogheda, Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Greystones.

As the Deputies are aware, the Government’s budgetary framework for capital investment, as set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, was reviewed last 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. 

This enhanced capital envelope includes funding in the order of €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement and will allow 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 commencing work on the Maynooth line. The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades, does not envisage an extension of the line beyond Maynooth. The remaining elements of the DART Expansion programme including the extension to Drogheda are being considered in the context of the 10 year investment plan that is expected to be published in the near future.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputies' questions to the Authority for further information on the issues raised. Please advise my private office if the Deputies do not receive a response within ten working days.