Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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496. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the rail link from County Sligo to County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20949/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Currently there are no plans to extend the rail network from County Sligo to County Donegal.

Building on the recommendations in the recent Public Investment Management Assessment study and the findings set out in the Rail Review 2016, a continuing key priority for investment in transport under the NDP is to protect the quality of and the investment already made in the existing national rail system, by funding projects that support and maintain safety and service levels in railway operations.

It is also a core priority under the National Planning Framework to enhance and upgrade accessibility between urban centres of population and their regions, in parallel with the initiation of compact growth of urban centres.

Under the National Development Plan (NDP), there is an objective is to complete the improving road linkages so that every region, particularly those in the North-West, are linked to Dublin by a high quality road network. Furthermore, another major objective is to make substantial progress in linking our regions and urban areas not just to Dublin but to each other. The NDP also recognises that over the period of the Plan it will be very important to examine the role inter-urban rail network can play in enhancing regional connectivity.

As part of the Estimates process, the multi-annual capital allocations will be reviewed and extended annually on a rolling basis to cover the coming 5 year period. This will provide Government with an annual opportunity to review the allocations in light of any implementation issues arising and/or new priorities which may emerge during implementation of the NDP. The NDP also commits to a full mid-term review of the Plan in 2022 to allow Government take stock of progress and allow it to review and reaffirm its investment priorities.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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497. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the DART service to Donabate. [20964/18]

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. As outlined in the recently published National Development Plan (NDP), the DART Expansion Programme is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected.

The NDP investment provides for the delivery of fast, high-frequency electrified services - to Drogheda on the Northern Line; to Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line; and to Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line - while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. The DART Expansion Programme will also provide for the delivery of other priority elements including a move to a 10 minute peak-time service and the introduction of additional train fleet including the expansion of the fleet with new diesel electric trains. The electrification of the Northern Line as far as Balbriggan, incorporating Donabate as well as Rush & Lusk and Skerries, is expected to be delivered in 2022.

Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.