Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the development of transport infrastructure in Kildare, particularly in relation to plans to upgrade the M7 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42552/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding any plans to upgrade the M7 motorway.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question regarding the M7 to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The Infrastructure Managers Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) between the Department of Transport and Iarnród Éireann provides a multi-annual investment programme to protect our national railway system by funding maintenance and safety projects needed to maintain safety and services levels in railway operations. This includes the Dublin to Sligo line, which serves Maynooth and Kilcock, and the Dublin to Cork/Galway line, which serves Kildare and Monasterevin. Approximately €1.3bn in Exchequer funding will go towards the protection and renewal of the national rail network which runs from 2020 to 2024.

As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ Programme. The DART+ programme will modernise and improve existing rail services in the Greater Dublin Area, by electrifying the lines and purchasing new rolling stock among other work.

The DART+ programme comprises five different projects in and around the Greater Dublin Area including DART+ West, which provides an extension of DART services from the City Centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth and DART+ South West which will see the extension of DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge.

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 approval also enabled the submission of a Railway Order application for the DART+ West project in July 2022. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromises 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, are due to start arriving in October for testing prior to entry into service in 2026. The Battery electric carriages are planned to enter service on the northern line to Drogheda. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see 90 new battery-electric carriages arrive around 2026. The precise deployment of these carriages hasn’t been decided on.

Regarding DART+ West, a Railway Order was granted by An Bord Pleanála in July subject to certain conditions, notably that the proposed depot west of Maynooth not be constructed due to concerns about flood risk. Iarnród Éireann are currently exploring other options for the construction of a depot in collaboration with the NTA to progress the project into the procurement process. Iarnród Éireann and the NTA are also considering responses to legal challenges to the projects planning decision.

Following approval by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1, a Railway Order application for DART+ South-West was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in March 2023. A planning decision is awaited.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. I have also referred your question regarding plans to upgrade the M7 motorway to TII for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.