Written Answers. - Dublin Rail Transport.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
43
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the current proposals, if any, she has in respect of rail transport in the greater Dublin area and throughout the country; her views on whether there will be an enhancement in relation to either category between 1997 and the year 2000; if so, the extent to which these improvements are likely to take place; when these will occur; where these will occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22808/97]
The current investment programme, which is partly co-funded by the EU and partly financed from the company's own resources, will result in improvements to track, signalling, rolling stock and stations over the next two years.
By the time this programme is completed in 1999, total investment in the mainline rail network over six years will have amounted to over £275 million. The work includes extensive replacement of jointed track on timber sleepers with continuous welded rails on concrete sleepers. All of the principal lines radiating out of Dublin benefit from this renewal expenditure, including Dublin to Cork, Belfast and Limerick; Portarlington to Galway; Dublin to Sligo; Kildare to Waterford; Athlone to Westport and Ballina; Mallow to Tralee, and Dublin to Rosslare.
Work is also ongoing to replace the outdated mechanical signalling system on mainline rail routes with a modern, cost-effective and centralised control system. Significant work will be done on the Galway, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford routes. As a result, these lines, as well as those to Cork, Limerick, Wicklow and Dundalk, will be equipped with modern signalling by 1999.
The need to purchase additional rolling stock to meet existing demands and to meet future needs is also being addressed. In the period from 1994-99, 32 locomotives and 14 carriages will have been purchased for use on the main lines to the cities. A further 44 diesel railcars will have been acquired, mainly for suburban use. The locomotives, the carriages and 17 of the diesel railcars are already in service and the remaining 27 railcars are due to be delivered next year. This new rolling stock enhances the overall quality of the rail service by removing old and outdated rolling stock from the entire network.
DART and the other four distinct suburban rail services in the greater Dublin area serving Dundalk, Arklow, Maynooth and Kildare are also benefiting from investment under the current programme. By 1999 stations will have been opened or upgraded; new rolling stock will be in service, and the DART will be extended to Greystones and Malahide. A total investment of almost £40 million is involved.
Further investment will be needed and a post-1999 programme is being considered which will maximise the use of scarce resources. All aspects of the rail system — track renewal, signalling and rolling stock — will be examined. I have asked CIE to prepare detailed investment plans for both the mainline and suburban rail networks in the context of securing EU or other funding in the post-1999 period. That work is already well in hand. I expect to receive the relevant reports early in the new year and these will provide the basis for determining the future rail investment programme.
In addition, the successful conclusion of the necessary change and restructuring negotiations, currently under way between unions and management, will contribute towards improving Iarnród Éireann's efficiency, reducing its costs and generating the internal resources necesssary for the renewal of its assets.
The introduction next year of public service contracts will give the company a much more stable medium-term financial framework, while at the same time placing an emphasis on payment for performance.
