John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planned capital rail priorities for the next decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17519/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that plans for the further development of the rail network in and around the State’s five major cities are set out in their respective metropolitan area transport strategies. These strategies each provide a twenty year horizon for potential investment and are reviewed every six years. Moreover, for the inter-urban rail network, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes.

Assisted by the EIB Advisory Services my Department and the Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations for the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade, as well as more immediate interventions for the shorter term.

Within and related to these strategic frameworks, there is a wide range of activity occurring across the rail network, designed to improve rail services for passengers.

Exchequer funding has been allocated for the redevelopment of Ceannt Station in Galway, which is currently underway to deliver an integrated transport hub in the heart of Galway City Centre, which will provide an improved customer experience and capacity for future growth with three additional platforms. Works are scheduled to be complete in 2026.

Planning permission has recently been received for track and station improvements at Oranmore station. Construction on the project is expected to commence around late 2025, with completion expected in 2027.

In Cork, Phase 1 of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, largely funded through the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is currently underway, with a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to be launched on April 14th, while work is in progress on re-signalling of the network and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton, with a view to Phase 1 being complete in 2026.

Focusing on commuter rail stations, Woodbrook station near Shankill on the DART line will open by the end of this year. A proposed new station at Moyross in Limerick is also at detailed design stage. A planning application for the project is expected to be lodged in 2025, with construction on the project anticipated to begin in 2026.

Furthermore, the high levels of exchequer investment in the protection and renewal of the rail network will continue to deliver safety and service improvements, the rehabilitation works underway to restore the Foynes Line for freight traffic and coastal protection works being undertaken along the Wicklow coast.

The DART+ programme comprises five different projects in and around the Greater Dublin Area. Two fleet orders have been placed under the DART+ Fleet project and the first trains from the first fleet order have now arrived in Ireland, with the rest to follow. Safety testing will take place, and deployment of these new battery-electric train sets is expected initially from 2026 on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda.

A Railway Order was granted for the DART+ West project by An Bord Pleanála in July 2024 subject to certain conditions. Two Judicial Review applications to the Railway Order approval have been lodged. These issues are currently being examined.

A Railway Order was granted for the DART+ South West by An Bord Pleanála Project in late 2024. Work is ongoing to progress the preparation of procurement documents.

A Railway Order application for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in July 2024.

All of this represents a major level of investment and activity in the rail network, and I look forward to seeing considerable rail service improvements over the next decade. In addition, the Programme for Government has committed to review the National Development Plan, and this review is expected to be complete this year. It is expected that this review will provide a funding envelope to deliver on existing, strategically important transport infrastructure commitments, and it will consider the funding needs of potential new or accelerated projects.