Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the design, planning and construction of new DART stations at Heuston West and Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot. [24309/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government approved the updated Preliminary Business Case in respect of the DART+ South West project in March 2023. The project will extend DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge train station, as part of the wider expansion of the DART network in the coming years. This project also includes the construction of the new Heuston West station at Islandbridge. The Government’s approval of the updated Preliminary Business Case enabled the DART+ South West project to enter the statutory planning process and the Railway Order application for the project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on 22 March.

The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023 following my approval. The strategy commits to the development of a number of new rail stations, including a station at Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot. While this station is outside the scope of the DART+ South West project, the design of the project has future-proofed its layout to allow the addition of a new station at this location in future. The NTA has provided funding to Iarnród Éireann this year to commence the preparation of designs and planning for the Kylemore Road station.

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