291. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if funding for the FourNorth rail project is included in the NDP Transport budget under Coastal North; if not, when it will receive its own budget, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59787/26]

As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

Pending this response I note that DART+ Coastal North is a separate project with its own budget. FourNorth has received funding from the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility to help advance its design. These studies will support the preparation of appraisal documents required under the Infrastructure Guidelines. A public consultation on the Emerging Preferred Option for FourNorth is planned to take place later this year and the further development of the project will be considered as part of the update of the GDA Transport Strategy, which is due to commence next year.

Given Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.