Written answers

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Rail Network

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

395. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he will encourage the modernisation of rail transport infrastructure by ensuring long-term investment to meet the rail transport needs of the public into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15877/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

396. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to examine disused railway infrastructure such as tracks and stations with a view to their restoration for transport while acknowledging the development of greenways at such locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

407. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if adequate provision can be made to upgrade rail stations in order to cater for increased passenger numbers in the context of the review of the current national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15889/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 395, 396 and 407 together.

As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the maintenance and renewal of our railway infrastructure. 

Approximately €202million of investment will occur this year in the protection and renewal of the network's infrastructure as part of the current €1billion 5-year IMMAC programme which will increase service reliability and punctuality, improves journey times and ensures continued safety of rail services.

Additional funding was also allocated to allow for track improvements on the Dublin – Cork line and to accelerate the lift/escalator replacement programme, which improves rail stations and the accessibility of the network generally. 

With regard to disused rail lines, I am informed that Iarnród Éireann’s policy, which aligns with Government policy, is to make rail alignments available for Greenways where there is no realistic medium term prospect of an alignment being required for rail use.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.