John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on plans to extend the DART to Wicklow Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62541/25]

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.

The NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, adopted in 2023, included a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which have started arriving in Ireland and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing.

The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed from Dublin to Drogheda from 2027. As more carriages arrive, it is intended to also deploy them to extend DART services to and from Wicklow. The NTA is currently examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension around 2029.

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.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional carriages will be added to the Dublin to Rosslare rail line to help address the serious overcrowding issues on the trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62542/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Irish Rail for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.