Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on his plans for a light rail system for Cork city, and the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4358/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the Cork Light Rail project.

The Cork Light Rail project seeks to provide a high-capacity public transport corridor connecting Ballincollig to Mahon Point via the city centre. The project is being developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in collaboration with the NTA. A public consultation for this project is expected to launch in the coming months.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide details in relation to plans for a transport hub at Little Island train station, including plans for an overhead bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4367/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is a key project in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The programme comprises a number of separate but interrelated projects.

Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, ‘Enable future electrification of Cork Commuter Rail’, was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 are planned to be completed by Quarter 3 2026 as required by the European Commission.

Recently, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan appointing them as multi-disciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme. This Phase provides for upgrades to existing commuter stations on the Cork Area Commuter Rail network, a new fleet maintenance depot, and decarbonisation of the network. Improvements to Little Island station may be considered as part of the proposed upgrades to existing stations.

Subject to securing funding and achieving the relevant approvals, Phase 2 of the Programme will progress after Phase 1 works have been completed.