Written answers

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Railway Stations

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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572. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of the recent climate action plan announced by the Government together with various proposals announced in budget 2020 to promote decarbonisation and a response to climate change, he will request Iarnród Éireann to take steps to review its decision not to reopen the railway station at Thomastown, Killucan, County Westmeath, which would facilitate and accommodate the thousands of passengers weekly who leave this region in an eastward direction to work in Dublin and the commuter belt, which can lead to substantial gains in terms of carbon reduction and which would cost less than €2 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42333/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware the maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I understand that local residents in the area have met previously with Iarnród Éireann to discuss the issue in detail.

Project Ireland 2040 states that the priority funding objective in relation to mainline rail is the maintenance and renewal of the existing network so that it continues to provide a safe and reliable infrastructure that enables the provision of quality rail services for passengers across the country.  This means ensuring ‘steady state’ levels of investment in our rail infrastructure each year for the foreseeable future and requires a significant and recurring capital investment of around €200million from the taxpayer every year.

This level of funding delivers benefits to passengers across the network, including Westmeath, by allowing for increased levels of investment in things like signalling, ballast cleaning and track relaying which in turn improve passenger journey experience and can lead to better journey times.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the funding I have secured under Project Ireland 2040 means that we are in a position to provide this steady state level of funding and this is significant and very welcome progress.

Project Ireland 2040 also confirms a number of key investment priorities to address transport demand and deliver a range of benefits over the next ten years. One of these priorities relates to an expansion of the rail fleet and I expect to very shortly seek Government approval in relation to a proposed purchase of 41 additional carriages for the InterCity Railcar fleet.  

These are the priority areas for investment as they impact the rail network in the Westmeath area and I have not received any proposals in relation to Killucan station. Any such proposal would need to be based on a robust business case which complies with the Public Spending Code and would be subject to availability of funding, which as the Deputy can see is currently fully committed.

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