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For Written Answer on : 12/07/2022
Question Number(s): 267 Question Reference(s): 37376/22
Department: Transport
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport the situation regarding the procurement of new rolling stock and battery and electric locomotives with respect to the upgrade of the Cork metropolitan rail network; the role that he or his Department has in approving any such procurement; the possible timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
As the Deputy may be aware, an order was placed in December 2019 for an additional 41 InterCity Railcars as part of the on-going investments to increase capacity. I understand these carriages will start to arrive in Ireland later this year allowing for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service in 2023.
Furthermore, last December, a Government approval permitted Iarnród Éireann to enter into a ten-year procurement framework for new DART fleet and immediately purchase 95 electric and battery-electric carriages. The first of the 95 carriages will arrive from mid-2024 and enter service from 2025 onwards. Along with the additional 41 Inter City Railcars, the additional fleet will allow for the redeployment of existing fleet across the network. The deployment of the new carriages and redeployment of existing fleet will be a matter for Iarnród Éireann.
In view of Iarnród Éireann’s responsibility in this matter, in particular regarding the procurement and deployment of the rail fleet, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the company for direct reply on the specifics requested. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
