As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme comprises of five related projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and eastern region, covering DART+ Fleet, DART+ West, DART+ South West, DART+ Coastal South and DART+ Coastal North projects.
Railway Order applications for DART+ West and Dart+ South West have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála in July 2022 and March 2023 respectively. Subject to the projects receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the projects, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. Following the procurement process, the projects will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Deputy may also be aware that funding for the DART+ programme as a whole is provided for under the Government's National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP). A final decision on the funding of the DART+ West and DART+ South West projects will be made at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have also referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
