Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the planned changes and developments throughout the Dublin Bay North constituency for the years 2025 and 2026. [20648/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As you may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.

The NTA, in conjunction with Dublin Bus, launched the first phase of the new BusConnects network for Dublin in June 2021. The roll-out of the H-Spine included routes connecting Dublin Bay North to the City Centre. The H-Spine bus routes deliver faster and more frequent services to the city centre. Services on the H-Spine provide greater levels of service to these residents and surroundings communities. Further new services, including the D-Spine from Malahide to Crumlin, will roll-out on an incremental basis, subject to funding and driver availability.

In relation to bus infrastructure, An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for eleven of the twelve Core Bus Corridor applications in Dublin, including the Clongriffin scheme. However, legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to this scheme.

The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.

This project aims to extend the overhead electric wires on the DART system by circa 37km, from Malahide to Drogheda. It will allow for high-frequency and fully electrified DART trains to operate between Dublin city and Drogheda, upgrading the rail service to growing communities along the route.

The Cabinet approved of the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for the entire DART+ programme, at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code in December 2021, this decision also permitted the purchase of additional DART fleet. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages (compromised of mainly battery-electric, with some electric carriages) have started to arrive and are currently undergoing safety testing. The battery-electric carriages from this first order are expected to be deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda in 2026.

The PBC for DART+ Coastal North was submitted to Government in May 2024 and received consent for approval under Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) in July 2024. The public were invited to make submissions as part of the Railway Order consultation, which closed in October 2024. An Bord Pleanála are now considering the observations that they received as part of the board’s decision-making process.

In relation to electric vehicles (EVs), Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) will publish The Regional and Local Electric Vehicle Charging Network Plan shortly. This will provide a pathway for the accelerated delivery of destination and neighbourhood charging and will be lead by local authorities.

Local authorities will be funded by ZEVI to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identity the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking.

Dublin City has been identified as part of Region 3 under the network plan and will be working with counties Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, and regional lead Fingal as well as with relevant support organisations and stakeholders to identify the charging needs for their region through a local charging strategy.

Dublin Bay will be subject to the strategy of this region under the Regional and Local Plan. Dublin is one of the local authorities that have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025.

Noting their responsibility in relation to this issue, I have forwarded your correspondence to the NTA for their consideration and a more detailed reply.