Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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257.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the DART+ programme; the committed capital expenditure in each year since 2020, by project (west/coastal north/coastal south, south and fleet); the projected capital allocation in 2024 and the work under way; what aspects are planned in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ programme.

The DART+ programme comprises five related projects in the Greater Dublin Area and eastern region, including:

DART+ Fleet: a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric fleet;

DART+ West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth;

DART+ South West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge;

DART+ Coastal North: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda; and

DART+ Coastal South:works to enable an improvement to current DART services from Dublin city centre to Greystones.

In December 2021 the Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ Programme and a fleet framework agreement between Irish Rail and Alstom. This framework allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric/battery-electric train carriages for the Irish Rail system over a 10-year period. This approval permitted the purchase of 95 new DART carriages, which are expected to enter service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement, which will see 90 new battery-electric multiple units arrive in 2026.

Following the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022, an Oral Hearing for DART+ West was held in September/October 2023. A Railway Order for DART+ South West was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in March 2023 and a Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in July 2024.

Subject to the respective DART+ projects receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to these decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the projects, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. If approval is granted at this stage, the project will proceed through a procurement process. A Final Business Case, which will take account of the outcome of the procurement process including the final pre-construction cost, will be prepared and the project will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.

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.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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258.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what is the next stage in the development of a completed rail connection to Navan; when he expects planning and design work to commence; the preparations carried out for these next stages; the projected cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33004/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.

The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which I approved early last year, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The Transport Strategy provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for Counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow.

The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy now includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036.

I am pleased that the NTA has allocated funding to Iarnród éireann (or Ié) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project this year. The work will involve the route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.

Ié has commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May. It is envisaged that the contract will be awarded in the coming months.

It is anticipated that a route options public consultation for the project will take place by early 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and develop a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government before it enters the planning system.

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.