Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the DART+ South West Project to Newbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56646/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including planning and implementation of the DART+ Programme.

The DART+ Programmeis a cornerstone programme of projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area. The Programme comprises of DART Fleet, as well as the DART+ West, DART+ South-West, DART+ Coastal (South)and DART+ Coastal (North)projects. Collectively these projects will extend and enhance the current DART system and services west to Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch, south to Greystones and north to Drogheda. The NTA in consultation with Iarnród Éireann is progressing the various projects which are at varying stages of planning and development.

The scope of the DART+ Programme as will be progressed through the statutory planning system is as set out in the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. However, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the NTA is currently consulting on revisions to the Transport Strategyand a public consultation period is open until early December. The draft Strategypublished for public consultation does include proposals to extend DART services further once the DART+ Programme has been delivered and I would encourage the Deputy to make her views known on any such extensions as part of that public consultation process.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the number of trains serving Athy railway station will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56648/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 operations of public transport.

The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.