Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects commuter rail passenger numbers to increase when the lines are upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32759/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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We need to provide sustainable alternatives to the private car if we are to encourage people to make the shift to more sustainable modes of transport and expanded rail capacity has a role to play in that regard.

We know from experience that the public responds positively when additional capacity is provided as part of an overall strategic and well-planned framework. The high-level strategic context, including passenger demand and forecasted modal share, for all of our commuter rail networks is set out in their relevant metropolitan area transport strategies which are all available online. At a project-level forecasted passenger demand is obviously a key component of the development of the business cases.

As an example, the Preliminary Business Case for DART+ has recently been received by my Department and is under review as required under the Public Spending Code. As the Deputy is aware DART+ proposes DART level all-day services across the network from Drogheda on the Northern Line, Maynooth on Western Line, Hazelhatch on the South Western Line and Greystones on the South Eastern Line and will result in a doubling of capacity as a result.

Another project underway at the moment is the addition of 41 rail carriages to the Greater Dublin Area rail fleet. These carriages are under construction at the moment and will start to arrive next year and will add around 34% capacity to the system as compared to before.

I have no doubt that the passenger response to this additional capacity will be as strong as it has been in the past where we have invested in our public transport network.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of health and safety adherence for the north County Kildare commuter rail passengers given the necessity to remain standing for some journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32760/21]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the number of carriages serving the north County Kildare rail commuter routes or alternatively increasing the frequency of trains thereby improving the service for commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32761/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.

As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.

Public transport operators have been advised of, and are closely following, public health instructions issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to COVID-19.

The issues raised are an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Iarnród Eireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.