Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of kilometres of new rail track laid since 2020; the funding provided by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45523/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including track relaying, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

The Infrastructure Managers Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) 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. Approximately €1.3bn in Exchequer funding has been provided towards the protection and renewal of the national rail network through the IMMAC which runs from 2020 to 2024.

Funding has been provided to progress a number of rail projects across the network including the Foynes Line Rehabilitation Project and the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.

The Foynes Line Reinstatement Project encompasses necessary rehabilitation works on 42km of the currently disused, Limerick to Foynes railway line, to safely reinstate the line for operational rail freight transport. Construction for this project is underway and it is anticipated the line will reopen to freight traffic in 2026.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme will see circa €164m of EU funds invested in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. These works are on schedule to be completed in 2026.

In addition to these projects, funding has also been provided to advance the elements of the DART+ Programme through the planning and approvals process.

In this regard a Railway Order application for DART+ West, which provides for an extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth, was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022. A Railway Order was granted by An Bord Pleanála in July 2024 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.

Railway Orders have also been submitted for DART+ South-West in March 2023 and for DART+ Coastal North in July 2024.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.