Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Wexford-Waterford rail line will be in operation in time for Fleadh Cheoil 2024 to give passengers from Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Galway a direct sustainable transport option to attend the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22978/23]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for repair and when the bridge will be operational again for the Barrow Bridge on the Wexford-Waterford railway, the costings related to the repair of the bridge, as the Barrow Bridge on the Wexford-Waterford railway line has been out of service since 2022 due to a bridge strike while awaiting repair pending the outcome of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 244 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance of the rail network, including closed lines such as the Wexford to Waterford line, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

In relation to the Barrow Bridge, officials in my Department have engaged with Iarnród Éireann in relation to the bridge strike at Barrow Bridge, short-term remedial actions to ensure safety, and the longer-term repair works required.

Noting Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter in the first instance, I have referred the Deputy's questions to IÉ 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.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what plans there are to implement the improvements stated in the Rail Alternative Assessment Report prepared by a company (details supplied) as part of the N24 Waterford to Cahir and N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction project, which states that minor upgrades to the Limerick-Waterford railway line can deliver an end to end journey time of 1 hour 50 minutes, while full route modernisation delivers a Waterford-Limerick journey time of 1 hour 30 minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/23]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount invested in the Waterford to Limerick rail line for improvement and safety works, including the laying of continuous welded rail since 2010; the lack of a speedier service and increased frequency since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22981/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 245 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the Review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades, including on railway line between Waterford and Limerick. Work on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is now at an advanced stage. Before it is finalised, it is expected that it will be issued for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment public consultation in July, with a final version to be published in the Autumn.

As the Deputy may also be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the exchequer funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Waterford to Limerick rail line. This is the fourth year of the five-year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme in excess of €1.3 billion in exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery. This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services.

In addition, a feasibility study is currently being undertaken on a proposed capacity enhancement for the rail line between Limerick and Limerick Junction, which may also assist Limerick-Waterford services in future.

Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply on the specific matter raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.