140. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann regarding proposed future service patterns on the Howth DART branch under DART+ Coastal North; and whether the Government will require that direct DART services between Howth, Sutton, Bayside and Dublin city centre are retained when future timetables are developed. [66990/26]

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 continuation of direct services to Howth, Sutton, Bayside and the city centre, this is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Pending a more detailed response I note that, DART+ Coastal North will provide for electrified DART trains between Dublin city and Drogheda and an improvement to the existing DART services between Dublin city and Howth/Malahide. The project will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.

The infrastructural changes proposed by DART+ Coastal North will permit both direct and shuttle services to operate from Howth. The implementation of a shuttle service is an operational matter, to be decided on in the future and implemented following the delivery of relevant infrastructure as part of the DART+ Coastal North project.