Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to detail and break down the latest projected costs made by the NTA for the construction of the Navan to Dublin rail line. [46262/24]

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 in early 2023, 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, subject to planning and funding approvals.

I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 the NTA allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.

IÉ commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project, and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multi-disciplinary consultants were appointed by IÉ for the duration of the project to work with the rail company’s in-house project team.

It is anticipated that a public consultation on the route options 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.

The Navan Rail Line is being delivered by IÉ on behalf of the NTA, with funding for the project being provided by my Department through the NTA. As the project is still in the preliminary stages of development, a detailed breakdown of the final construction cost has not yet been received from the NTA by my Department.

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.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided for train capital projects since 2021 through the Connecting Europe Facility, in tabular form. [46297/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Following support from the Government for its applications, Iarnród Éireann has received the below funding through the Connecting Europe Facility from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.

For the projects in the below table, funding is received into the Exchequer as the Government is listed as project beneficiary. Therefore, I can provide the exact figures, rounded to the nearest euro, to you, as per the table.

In addition to the above Iarnród Éireann is in receipt of further funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency for the below projects:

• Rail Freight System for Ireland (RIGHT);
• Programme Implementation Plan for enhanced Passenger Rail Connectivity (CONNECT); and
• Four-tracking of North Coastal Line (FOURNORTH).

Iarnród Éireann is listed as project beneficiary for the above and therefore receives the funding directly. Due to this direct receipt of funding, my Department cannot supply you with the exact figures of funding issued through the Connecting Europe Facility.

In view of the Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.