Written answer
Rail Network
The Western Rail Corridor’s Claremorris-Athenry reinstatement is funded for construction, with vegetation clearance and preparatory appraisal work underway, subject to approvals.
153. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the western rail corridor project. [67225/26]
Comment on this
As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. As the designated day-to-day Approving Authority for the Western Rail Corridor project, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of these works, in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann in its role as Sponsoring Agency. Given the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days
Pending this more detailed response, following the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered by 2030, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, including on the Dublin to Galway line a second platforms at Clara and Woodlawn stations. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the current National Development Plan.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The National Development Plan includes funding to commence construction of this reinstatement project, subject to procurement and any necessary planning or other approvals. Early work is already underway in terms of clearing vegetation on the line. Iarnród Éireann has also appointed a multi-disciplinary consultant to prepare appraisal documents required for the scheme.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.