Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing overcrowding and service reliability issues on the DART network, particularly during peak times at stations such as Raheny, Killester, Harmonstown, and Clontarf Road; if he will outline the current timeline for delivery of additional DART fleet and infrastructure upgrades; and if he will take immediate steps to fast-track these improvements to ensure passenger safety, accessibility, and reliability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68357/25]

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 provides an extension of DART services from the City Centre to Drogheda. Planning approval for DART+ Costal North was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in August 2025. There is currently an ongoing Judicial Review in relation to this project.

The Review of the National Development Plan (NDP) has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The NDP Sectoral Implementation Plan, which was published by my Department in November, notes that there is potential to commence works on other elements of DART+ Coastal North, including supporting infrastructure such as track passing loops and a new platform at Drogheda station over the period 2026-2030, in advance of works on Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE) .

DART+ Fleet provides a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric train fleet. Two fleet orders have been placed (185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units). The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromise of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, have started arriving and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027.

I engage regularly with the NTA and Irish Rail, including a meeting this week in which reliability and punctuality was one of the topics discussed.

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.