Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which plans for the electrification of the Dublin to Maynooth rail line are actively in hand when the project is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46362/22]

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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92. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding DART plus; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 92 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, which includes the DART+ Programmeand the various projects therein.

In December of last year, the Government approved the DART+ programme in principle and gave specific approvals for the purchase of 95 additional electric and battery-electric rail carriages as part of DART+ Fleet and for a Railway Order application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Iarnród Éireann in respect of DART+ West. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that a down payment was made for these new carriages at the end of last year, which are expected to enter service in 2025, while DART+ West was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on 29th July.

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