Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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427. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is appropriate funding for the Northern commuter rail line to be electrified all the way to Drogheda; the expected timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47144/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.

DART+ Coastal North will extend DART overhead electrified wires to Drogheda and will significantly increase the peak hour capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin City and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.

A Railway Order application for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2024 and was approved in August 2025.

In addition to DART+ Coastal North, two fleet orders have been placed for 185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units. The first trains and carriages from the first fleet order have now arrived in Ireland and are undergoing testing. These new battery-electric sets will be deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda, in advance of the roll-out of overhead electrified wires, after they have completed ongoing testing.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including elements of the DART+ Programme, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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428. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made on the overall DART+ Coastal North programme, including electrification works, station upgrades, and increased service frequency for the Northern commuter line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47145/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ Programme.

DART+ Coastal North will extend DART overhead electrified wires to Drogheda and will significantly increase the peak hour capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin City and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.

A Railway Order application for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2024 and was approved in August 2025.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including elements of the DART+ Programme, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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429. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the current capital allocation for rail electrification projects, specifically the northern commuter line; if the budgeted amounts remain sufficient in light of inflationary pressures in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47146/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ Programme.

DART+ Coastal North will extend DART overhead electrified wires to Drogheda and will significantly increase the peak hour capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin City and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.

A Railway Order application for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2024 and was approved in August 2025.

In addition to DART+ Coastal North, two fleet orders have been placed for 185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units. The first trains and carriages from the first fleet order have now arrived in Ireland and are undergoing testing. These new battery-electric sets will be deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda, in advance of the roll-out of overhead electrified wires, after they have completed ongoing testing.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including elements of the DART+ Programme, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total kilometres of electrified rail in service; the projects approved and funded to 2030; the current and target share of rail freight tonnage; the locations of planned intermodal depots; the stock of critical rail spares including transformers, substations and pantographs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47199/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network including available stock, any planned depots and rail freight, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

Currently the DART network in Dublin is the only electrified part of the Irish heavy rail network, consisting of approximately 50km of track. Upon completion of the DART+ Programme the amount of electrified track will be approximately trebled.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed my Department’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. Officials are currently reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope, including plans for investment in the rail network, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility for the other issues raised, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.