Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the status of the business case for Cork light rail; the amount spent to date on consulting and engineering fees; when a route will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/23]

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 agreed responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in our cities, including light rail.

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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which plans for the electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth line are actively in hand; when the project is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which passenger capacity is being or can be improved on the north Kildare commuter lines such as Naas-Sallins, Hazelhatch, Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip and Confey; if park-and-ride facilities are likely to be provided/extended on these very busy routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans, if any, to increase the number of carriages serving the North Kildare rail commuter routes, or alternatively, increasing the frequency of trains, thereby improving the service for commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which the commuter towns of North Kildare can expect improved rail and bus services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20931/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the throughput of passengers at the various stations on the Maynooth line; the extent to which demand has grown and his proposals to accommodate the demand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20933/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 88, 127, 132 and 134 together.

In October 2019, the Government approved the purchase of 41 additional intercity rail cars to enhance passenger capacity across the rail network. Delivery of the first units purchased following this approval commenced late last year and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Iarnród Éireann recently took delivery of the final new carriages.

These new rail cars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service next year. As part of ongoing work by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann, consideration is being given to providing new and additional carriages where demand, available carriages and suitable infrastructure support such provision.

As the Deputy may also be aware, DART+ West, which encompasses electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth line, is part of the DART+ Programme. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including park and ride facilities and, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ Programme. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

Noting the NTA's responsibilities in these matters and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, 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.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline a timeline for the commencement of the Metro North/Metro Link. [20792/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the Government granted Decision Gate 1 approval under the Public Spending Code to the project. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage and on 30 September Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16 January 2023 and TII is preparing responses to submissions received.

In line with the Public Spending Code and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 06/2023, TII is currently preparing the Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy for MetroLink. It is currently anticipated that these documents will be submitted to the Department of Transport this year for consideration at Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code. Subject to approval at Decision Gate 2 and funding, TII will then prepare a Final Business Case for consideration by Cabinet at Decision Gate 3.

TII is also in the process of appointing a Client Partner to support the efficient and effective delivery of the project. It is currently anticipated that the Client Partner will be appointed in the coming months to provide the adequate number of resources and support across all phases of the project to ensure the successful delivery of MetroLink. This appointment will be a significant development in the process of progressing MetroLink through the Decision Gate process and toward delivery, subject to approval and funding.

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, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink.

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