Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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258. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs of closure and replacement of the six level crossings on the Maynooth line proposed in the DART plus west proposals; the costs on a comparative basis of retaining automated level crossings following resignalling to facilitate electrified rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34673/20]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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291. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if public consultations have happened regarding the proposed Maynooth DART project; and if so, the means that were used to ensure contact has been made with persons living near the railways and the geographical extent either side of the railways by which notice was given to the surrounding populations in Dublin city. [35442/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 291 together.

As the Deputies are aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, implementation of the DART+ Programme.

DART+ will effectively double the capacity of the existing network. It will see the introduction of DART level services on the Maynooth, Dunboyne, Northern and Kildare lines, providing a sustainable, reliable and frequent service across much of the Greater Dublin Area. I was delighted to be able to launch the public consultation on DART+ over the summer. That public consultation was twice extended and only recently closed late last month.

I understand that the issue of level crossing closures is one that arose during the public consultation process but also that among the documentation published as part of the public consultation process was a ‘Preliminary Options Selection Report’which set out in detail the approach taken when considering level-crossings.

I also understand that with the initial consultation process now closed, Iarnród Éireann with the NTA will then consider submissions received and develop a ‘Preferred Route’. I would note that consultations held to date on the 'Emerging Preferred Route' and those that might be held on the 'Preferred Route' are non-statutory consultation processes and members of the public will have a further opportunity to comment during the later statutory planning processes.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, 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 days.