Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider adding an additional train journey on the Waterford to Dublin line weekdays leaving Waterford around 4 p.m., to allow for commuters returning to Dublin from areas outside the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30244/23]

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.

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that its operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. The current capacity is primarily based on pre-COVID demand levels, when rapid growth in demand resulted in the utilisation of 100% of the operational fleet at peak times.

However, it is the case that additional and/or cascaded fleet will become available over the next 24months and the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are considering options for their deployment on the network.

The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.

I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.