Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge the need for additional rail services from Dublin to Carlow and Kilkenny, if he has a plan to address the limitations of the current service for people living in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51825/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the Deputy's query, I understand that the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has an aspiration to provide an all-day train service of every two hours between Kilkenny and Dublin, with additional train services during the peak, and an hourly service between Dublin and Carlow. This would build on the rail service improvements of recent years.

From an infrastructure perspective, delivery of this aspiration is dependent on whether there is sufficient track capacity and rail fleet. The service frequency would also require Public Service Obligation funding, which is determined as part of the annual budgetary process.

At present, there are insufficient train carriages available on the rail network to provide for a significant increase in service frequency to Carlow and Kilkenny. Currently all of the Iarnród Éireann fleet is deployed across the network during the peak periods. However, the entry into service of new battery-electric DART trains around Dublin over the next few years will free up existing train fleet availability across the network.

Hence I would expect extra train carriages to become available before the end of the decade, boosting services across the county. Some of these carriages could be deployed between Dublin and Kilkenny and Carlow, following an NTA review. This would enable an increase in the rail services for the people of Carlow and Kilkenny, which would be welcomed.

Looking further ahead, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review published last year recommended an upgrade in track capacity for Kilkenny and Carlow. Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Advisory Services, my Department is working with other key stakeholders on a Project Prioritisation Strategy, which considers how best to optimise the Review's recommendations, including for Carlow and Kilkenny. This Strategy is planned for publication later this year, reflecting my ambitions to continually improve public transport for the people of Ireland.