James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take urgent action on the lack of train carriages available for morning services from Midleton train station to Kent Station during rush hour; if his Department is aware of the volume of passengers who take those morning commuter trips each weekday morning; if his Department will ensure that extra carriages are added to this route expeditiously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63496/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As is occurring across the wider railway network, Cork train services, such as the Midleton to Kent line, are experiencing record demand, especially during weekdays, with commuters availing of peak journey times to connect with work, school, and other destinations. In fact, passenger numbers are now over 1 million journeys on average each weekday across the entire on the Transport For Ireland network.

Following the recent increase in service frequency, from hourly to half-hourly on the Cobh and Midleton lines, along with additional services on the Mallow commuter line, all available capacity is being utilised each day. As a result, there is currently no spare capacity to add further carriages to peak-time services. While the trains are busy, they are designed to safely accommodate full loading at the busiest times, though Iarnród Éireann appreciate this can be uncomfortable for passengers.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which represents the largest investment in the rail network in Cork undertaken by the State, is being delivered on a phased basis. Phase 1 of the Programme consists of a signalling upgrade, construction of a through-platform at Kent Station, which opened in April, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. This phase has received EU Funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and is scheduled to be completed next year.

Phase 2 of the programme plans for the electrification of the Cork commuter rail network and the delivery of up to eight new stations, as well as the upgrade of existing stations including Mallow. In 2024, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan appointing them as multi-disciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme.

The first public consultation on Phase 2 of the Programme concluded in July. Phase 2 will be progressed following the completion of Phase 1, subject to funding and relevant approvals.

The Programme will provide a more efficient and decarbonised transport service for the area to help facilitate population and economic growth over the coming decades, enabling a frequency of up to every 10 minutes on the Cork Rail Commuter network.