Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the DART project for Drogheda, the impact on future additional public transport needs expected by the designation and development of Drogheda as growth centre for transport-oriented development, and the need for a new railway station on the north side of Drogheda. [45446/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Preliminary Business Case for the whole DART+ programme was approved by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code in December 2021. The Decision also permitted the purchase of DART Fleet. This first order of DART+ Fleet comprised an initial purchase of 95 DART carriages - 65 battery-electric and 30 electric. 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 first of the new carriages have started arriving, for testing and commissioning before deployment. The first batch of 65 battery-electric train carriages are expected to enter service on the Dublin to Drogheda line, in early 2026. To enable the roll-out of these DART trains to Drogheda, new battery-electric charging infrastructure is being developed at Drogheda station. This will allow the DART trains to operate on battery power between Malahide and Drogheda, in advance of the extension of overhead electric wires in future, under DART+ Coastal North.

A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged in July 2024. The project will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda, with the section between Malahide and Drogheda (as part of the service between Dublin city and Drogheda) increasing in capacity from circa 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak hour/direction upon project completion.

The upgrades planned under DART+ Coastal North will help to facilitate Transport Orientated Development (TOD), which aims to ensure the delivery of housing, employment, services and amenities along high capacity transport networks and at transport nodes to cater for future population growth. This is in line with National Strategic Objective 10 of the National Planning Framework (NPF), which aims for delivery of TOD at scale at suitable locations, served by high capacity public transport and located within or adjacent to the built up area of the five cities or a metropolitan town. This in turn supports NPF priorities for Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.

As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network and stations on the network, including the proposed station on the north side of Drogheda referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.

Noting IÉ's responsibility in relation to the rail network and stations on the network, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the rail station issue. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.