Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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209. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to including proposals for the extension of the DART to Wicklow town in the current project remit for the DART+ Coastal South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4275/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps involved in the approval process to extend the DART to Wicklow town; the timelines required to undertake those steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4276/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 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 (GDA), including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal South.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 includes proposals to extend DART services beyond Greystones to Wicklow.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question 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.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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211. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the proposed station modifications at Bray and Greystones to enhance train service capacity, as indicated in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042; if he will provide a timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4277/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 (GDA), including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal South. The NTA also has responsibility for the development of the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question 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.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a formal decision will be made on the deployment of battery-operated carriages to service Wicklow town; the infrastructural changes that would be required on the line to enable the usage of those carriages; the earliest date by which battery-operated carriages would be operational on the Wicklow town line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4278/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the use of battery-operated train carriages to improve the train service to Arklow town; the infrastructure that would need to be put in place to enable that to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4301/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 222 together.

As the deputy may be aware, the DART+ programme intends to triple the amount of electrified track in the Greater Dublin Area from 50km to 150km, resulting in a lower carbon and higher capacity system, with electrified passenger services running to Maynooth, Hazelhatch, Drogheda, and Greystones.

Last November the Government approved the purchase of 90 battery-electric carriages. I anticipate that these 90 carriages will be delivered in 2026. The precise deployment of these carriages has yet to be determined, but they will support the expansion of DART services to Drogheda to the north, Maynooth/M3 Parkway to the west and Celbridge/Hazelhatch to the south-west.

As these 90 carriages have the flexibility operate on both electrified and non-electrified track through the use of batteries, there is also potential to use them at some stage in the future between Greystones and Wicklow, subject to available funding for necessary supporting infrastructure.

The Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy envisions potential future extensions to the DART network, including to Wicklow, after the DART+ programme has been delivered. These would be standalone projects subject to future consideration.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including DART+. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct 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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213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the preparation of local transport plans for Arklow and Wicklow-Rathnew; if any other towns in Wicklow will be considered for transport plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midland Region sets out that the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly will work with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and relevant local authorities to prepare local transport plans for selected settlements including Arklow and Wicklow-Rathnew.

The NTA, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, has developed an advice note which sets out a methodology on how to assess the opportunities and constraints for sustainable transport within an area. This Area Based Transport Assessment methodology has been designed as a key input into local transport plans.

Noting the NTA's role in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct 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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214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the feasibility study on the re-opening of Avoca train station will begin and be completed; if he will provide an outline of what the study will consider; if a public consultation will form part of the study; if this study will include nearby stations such as Glenealy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 any feasibility study on the re-opening of Avoca train station.

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

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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215. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans for the N81 road as an identified core bus corridor; if problematic congestion sections have been identified and the timeline for their remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 the BusConnects Dublin programme.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct 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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216. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the increased investment being made on LocalLink services in Wicklow, including future plans for service extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4282/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Wicklow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the provision of a summer LocalLink service from Arklow to Greystones to service the coastal route including Brittas Bay, Maghermore and Wicklow town, to meet the demands of visitors to the beaches and to assist with traffic congestion during peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4283/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Wicklow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the extension of the Luas to Bray; if he will outline the enabling infrastructure required for this extension; if he will provide a timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4284/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 light rail projects.

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