Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the electrification of the Maynooth railway line is progressing; the extent to which timetables are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12278/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made to date in the electrification of the Maynooth rail line with particular reference to the need to ensure that car parking facilities are supplied to the west of Kilcock thereby facilitating Enfield, Kilcock and the wider hinterland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12281/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 242 together.

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 implementation of the DART+ Programme and, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, car parking facilities at stations.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matters raised, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is proposed to augment the Hazelhatch and Sallins rail services to facilitate greater use of trains by commuters now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12279/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the number of commuter trains serving north County Kildare can be extended in the short and long-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12284/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is expected to extend and improve the rail services serving Hazelhatch and Sallins, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12285/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 245 and 246 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 provision and operation of public transport services. 

The queries raised in relation to rail services in County Kildare are an operational matter for  the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. I have therefore 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that can be taken to accelerate the programme to upgrade the Hazelhatch to Sallins railway line; if plans are being advanced to connect the Maynooth line with Hazelhatch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12280/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the DART+ Programme is a programme of projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area. 

As well as DART+ South-West which the Deputy refers to, the Programme comprises of DART+ Fleet, DART+ 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 Hazelhatch/Celbridge, south to Greystones and north to Drogheda.  In consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including rail in the Greater Dublin Area, is progressing the various projects which are at different stages of planning and development.

Further extensions to DART services in the years ahead are being considered as part of the NTA’s review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area for which a public consultation recently concluded. The revised Strategy does propose extending DART services beyond Hazelhatch; however, the focus is on completing the delivery of the DART+ Programme, as it must be, in order to allow for later consideration of further extensions to the Programme.