Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Ballybrophy to Limerick continuous welded rail track renewal project will be completed; his plans to improve the frequency of the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52024/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line. This is the second year of the five year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme over €1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery.

This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services. As an example, the enhanced programme of track relaying on the Ballybrophy line, as referred to by the Deputy, has been supported by this programme in 2021.

I understand from Iarnród Éireann that while still ongoing, track relaying work has meant that all bar approximately 15 of the 52 miles of the Ballybrophy to Limerick (Nenagh Branch) route are now continuous welded track, and that further works are scheduled throughout November to renew track.

Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in the first instance, I have referred the Deputy's questions to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.