I thank the Minister of State for being here. I also thank him for his presence at the Anti-Stigma Award last Thursday night. It was appreciated by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. It is important that we continue to do that type of work because, unfortunately, there can be a stigma attached to so many things in life. For those with dementia, who have so many other challenges, it is important it is addressed. It was great to see so many worthy winners, particularly Mike Hanrahan from Stockton’s Wing. It was good.

I am recalling the last time I had a Commencement matter with the Minister of State. He knows I travel by train occasionally to come here. It is important to have and use the service. Generally, the service from Kildare is good. It is affordable and timely. It is a good service from the point of view of timetabling. However, there is a huge capacity issue, both with car parking spaces and space on the trains themselves, particularly for those commuting.

Kildare is a big commuter county. A lot of people have chosen to live in Kildare and commute into Dublin on a daily basis. The recent NTA figures demonstrate that the Kildare-Heuston corridor - I am not even talking about the Maynooth train that comes into Connolly Station – carries a total of 18,610 passengers on a daily basis. It is phenomenal that on any day there are almost 19,000 people travelling up and down that corridor. That growth is important because it reflects the public’s choice to be able to access public transport. Essentially, that is what we want. We want to keep cars off the road and try to ensure that we have a good train service.

Yesterday, I attended an NTA workshop regarding a town bus service that we hope to have in place in 2027 to help people access the trains. It will keep the car park spaces for those who have to travel a number of miles from outside of Newbridge.

Essentially, however, it is impossible to get a seat between 6.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. There are many times I might want to get on the train and think I will be able to open a laptop and work but you just cannot get a seat. That is fine; I can absolutely manage. However, there are older people coming up for medical appointments and they do not have a seat. There are people commuting to work and study and travelling for leisure, recreation and shopping etc., and we want to ensure people will continue to use the trains and that they will be a safe, reliable and attractive option. Iarnród Éireann had a major procurement of 285 carriages and I know getting them had to happen a number of years ago. That is a really important landmark investment. We need a clear understanding of how this new fleet will be integrated into the Kildare line. How many of the 285 newly ordered carriages are scheduled to be integrated into the Kildare-Heuston corridor? What is the anticipated rollout schedule for these carriages to enter active service, because they were needed last year? I would appreciate the Minister of State giving me a response in that regard.

I thank Senator O’Loughlin for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O’Brien.

From the outset, I wish to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services.

The statutory responsibility for servicing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA works with the public transport operators, which deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of transport services provided under public service obligation contracts.

That said, I wish to reassure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2026 the Department of Transport secured €940 million of funding for PSO and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services, thereby providing a significant 43% uplift in an increase from €658.442 million in 2025. The allocation further supports subsidised bus and rail services across Ireland as well as maintaining targeted fares initiatives, such as the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of nine and the young adult card, as part of the NTA's national fares strategy.

Further, as announced in budget 2027 we are investing over €1 billion in public transport services that people rely on every day, with €1.042 billion allocated to PSO services in 2027 across our bus, light rail and heavy rail networks. This represents an 11% increase in the core PSO allocation compared with 2026, providing the certainty needed to protect and sustain vital public transport services right across the country.

This funding is about more than maintaining existing services and will also support the continued expansion and enhancement of our public transport network, with almost 140 new and enhanced services in the planning pipeline for 2027 across our flagship programmes such as Connecting Ireland, BusConnects and new town services. Separately, this funding is also investing almost €60 million in capital funding to maintain and renew our rail assets, including essential rolling stock and equipment to keep our rail network safe, reliable and fit for our future.

I understand that the Senator’s query relates to severe overcrowding on peak-time commuter train services from Newbridge and Kildare town and when more carriages will be deployed to expand capacity on these routes. I wish to inform the Senator that the NTA and Irish Rail have established a working group to jointly plan and implement changes and enhancements to the rail timetable. As part of the planning process the NTA has also run public consultations to gauge the public’s response to changes to services and inform the demand for, and priority of, future potential enhancements.

Iarnród Éireann saw record passenger numbers in 2025 with over 55 million journeys; a figure that is growing further in 2026. To address this, it has confirmed to the Department it currently operates all available trains on a daily basis, outside of required maintenance cycles, to ensure fleet reliability and any repair works which may be happening. It is maximising use of its rolling stock to meet demand and will continue to monitor passenger loadings. Further, Irish Rail confirmed it recognises that this is creating pressure on capacity on some services at the busiest times at present.

While trains are busy, they are designed to safely accommodate full loading at the busiest times, although Irish Rail appreciates that this can be uncomfortable. In addition, the company is pleased to advise that new trains will begin entering service in 2027. This will provide extra capacity on the network.

Irish Rail has confirmed that the first order of 95 carriages will directly benefit the Drogheda line by means of the provision of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages. However, this will also allow intercity and commuter trains currently operating on the Drogheda line to be used on other routes around the network, including on commuter routes. Their deployment will be subject to review by and approval of the National Transport Authority, subject to demand and infrastructure capacity at the time. This process will be repeated with the introduction of a further 90 battery-electric carriages, which will free up existing trains. The remaining 100 electric carriages will eventually be used to replace the original DART fleet, which has been in operation since 1984.

Ultimately, the goal is to build towards an hourly service, with infrastructure interventions and additional fleet required to achieve this. Furthermore, Irish Rail has confirmed that it is working to progress DART+ South-West in order to provide additional capacity to allow for further service expansion on commuter routes to and from Heuston Station and via the Phoenix Park tunnel.

I thank the Minister of State for pointing out that there has been a 54% increase in funding since 2025. That is both significant and important. It is money very well spent. However, I am concerned. While I appreciate that Irish Rail has confirmed that it is working to progress DART+ South-West, which is important, that is not going to impact the Kildare-Heuston line, the matter we are discussing. I certainly welcome that there more trains will be operating via the Phoenix Park tunnel. That is an excellent service coming into Dublin Pearse Station. When I can get that train, I do so. I use it every Thursday, for example. However, we need to have more of them. The last train leaves Pearse station at 5.30 p.m. There is a need for one to leave later than that.

The Minister of State indicated that the new trains and carriages will begin entering service in 2027. That is certainly welcome. I accept his comment to the effect that they will be going to a different line and that there will then be more carriages available. We are not fussy. We do not have to have the new carriages, but, without a shadow of a doubt, we want to have extra ones. In terms of the existing intercity and commuter trains operating on the Drogheda line that can be used on other routes across the network, including commuter routes, I would like to make a strong case for my area. I will look for a meeting with the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, on this matter, because the people are there. I do not fully accept that it is 100% safe. The Minister of State said that it is fine, even if people have to stand. It is not. I have seen people in difficult situations, and I have heard anecdotal evidence of people fainting on trains as well. I appreciate the Minister of State for being here. I also appreciate that he will bring my message back to the Minister.

I again thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport. Senator O'Loughlin stated that she will be following up with the Minister and the Department directly on the issue she raised in respect of the commuter train services from Newbridge and Kildare town.

I am sure the Senator will agree that the Government's investment of €940 million for public service obligation and Local Link in 2026 demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable, equitable and accessible public transport network for all. The Government and Department of Transport are committed to fully supporting investment in public transport services for the improvement of our transport networks country-wide, while safeguarding the financial sustainability of the system in the long-term. The Department of Transport remains aligned with the programme for Government commitment to roll out contactless payments and to keep fares affordable and equitable.

Irish Rail acknowledges that Senator O'Loughlin wishes to see additional capacity provided as soon as possible. It thanks her for her patience and understanding in the meantime and looks forward to adding more capacity and frequency to the service through investment in new trains and in the network in order to increase the number of trains in a position to operate. I have no doubt Senator O'Loughlin will be following up with the other relevant stakeholders in terms of the proposal she has put forward in this regard.