345. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the plans for passing or overtaking rail lines on the DART line on Dublin's southside to allow the Rosslare Intercity to pass the DART on the line. [61288/26]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the DART+ programme, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.

With regard to the Deputy's specific questions regarding the matter of overtaking rail-lines on the Coastal South route, this is a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct, detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Pending this more detailed response, I can inform the Deputy that work is ongoing on DART+ Coastal South. DART+ Coastal South aims to improve DART services on the existing DART line south of Dublin City, with the current focus on enhancing services between Bray and Greystones. DART+ Coastal South will be delivered in 2 distinct stages:

• Stage 1: Infrastructural enhancements and upgrades to enable an increase in train frequency from 2 to 3 trains per hour between Bray and Greystones;

• Stage 2: Infrastructure enhancements to enable an increase in train frequency from 6 to 12 trains per hour between Dublin Connolly and Bray (Daly) Stations.

Design work is ongoing on the upgrades to the Bray to Greystones line, with procurement for Stage 1 planned to commence this year.

Funding provided under the NDP will also facilitate the expansion the DART system to Wicklow Town in 2029. This extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages. Three fleet orders have been placed comprising both battery-electric and electric carriages, bringing the total number of DART carriages ordered to 285. The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages have arrived in Ireland 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 in 2027.