Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframes for the review of the National Transport Authority’s transport strategy for the greater Dublin Area; if, as part of that review, an extension of the DART to Wicklow town will be included as part of the existing DART+ coastal south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63179/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) is statutorily required to review the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) every six years under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.  The NTA initiated the review process for the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 in late 2020 with the publication of an Issues Paper for public consultation.  The NTA undertook a second round of public consultation from November 2021 to January 2022 on a draft transport strategy for 2022-2042.

Following this second round of public consultation, the NTA reviewed the submissions received and submitted a draft strategy to me for approval in end May 2022 as required under the 2008 Act.  Following consideration and engagement with the NTA on the draft strategy, I have now approved the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 and it will be published shortly by the NTA.

The strategy includes proposals to extend DART services beyond Greystones to Wicklow.  However, any such extension is a separate project to DART+ Coastal South and would require its own approval. 

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

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the recently announced battery-operated electric DART carriages will be delivered; the number of the 90 carriages purchased that will be allocated to Wicklow services; if any of those carriages will be provided for an expanded electric service to Wicklow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63180/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The 90 new battery-electric train carriages, purchased under a Government-approved ten-year procurement framework between Iarnród Éireann and Alstom, are due for delivery in 2026. 

As the carriages are battery-electric they can potentially be deployed to parts of the rail network without overhead electric wires, to help replace and decarbonise existing diesel-fleet operations. This adaptability means that the carriages could be used on lines in advance of overhead electrification or to extend the range of electrified services beyond the electrified network.

The flexibility of the carriages means that there is potential to use them at some stage in the future between Greystones and Wicklow and/or for Cork Area Commuter Rail, serving communities between Mallow, Cork, Cobh and Midleton, subject to available funding for necessary supporting infrastructure.

The precise deployment of the carriages will be examined and decided upon over the next two-to-three years, taking account of the cost, available funding and the broader DART+ strategy.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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142. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when in 2023 that the additional evening train service from Dublin to Rosslare will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63181/22]

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 of the introduction of specific new train services is an operational matter for National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. 

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