Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects commuter rail passenger numbers to increase when the lines are upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4879/24]

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 upgrades to the rail network.

Irish Rail passenger numbers for 2023 were circa 45/46 million. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for a more detailed 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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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans 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. [4880/24]

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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) 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.

The matter raised by the Deputy would appear to be an operational matter and I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in the electrification of the Maynooth rail line, with particular reference to the need to ensure that car parking facilities are supplied to the west of Kilcock thereby facilitating Enfield, Kilcock, and the wider hinterland [4881/24]

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 DART+ Programme and its constituent projects.

As part of the DART+ Programme, the DART+ West project will provide an electrified and more frequent rail service to passengers between Maynooth and M3 Parkway and Dublin city centre. A Railway Order application for the project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022 and and an oral hearing held in the second half of last year. A planning decision from An Bord Pleanála is awaited.

The objectives of the DART+ West project is to increase capacity and electrify the line. Additional car parking facilities in Kilcock or elsewhere are not within the scope of the DART+ West project. However, Iarnród Éireann’s Network Enhancement Division and the NTA's Park & Ride Development Office are working on other projects to deliver enhanced parking at stations, for cars and bicycles, in parallel to the DART+ West project.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of health and safety adherence for the north Kildare commuter rail passengers given the necessity to remain standing for some journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4882/24]

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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to capacity and health and safety is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.