On behalf of the Minister for Transport I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address the House on this issue tonight. The DART+ programme comprises five different projects in and around the greater Dublin area. It will extend the existing network from the city centre to Maynooth, M3 Parkway, Hazelhatch and Celbridge, and Drogheda, and will improve current DART services from the city centre to Greystones. The programme will triple the length of the electrified network and will double city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours. DART+ South West will extend DART services from the city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge, including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston Station. An Coimisiún Pleanála approved a railway order for DART+ South West in November 2024. In addition, procurement for DART+ South West and DART+ West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaire notices for design and build works advertised in May 2025. The NDP transport sectoral investment plan provides an investment of €22.3 billion of Exchequer funding to the transport sector from 2026 to 2030, along with an additional allocation of €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to support the development of MetroLink. Of this total allocation, funding in the region of €10 billion is being provided for public transport infrastructure plus €2 billion for MetroLink over the period from 2026 to 2030. The funding under the NDP transport sectoral investment plan will see significant advancements made in a number of public transport projects, including various elements of the DART+ programme including DART+ West. This funding will also allow compulsory purchase orders to progress DART+ South West and will provide the procurement process for the project with some of framework contracts being established in common with DART+ West and DART+ South West. It is important to state that, following on from the initial investment in the DART+ fleet, DART+ West was always recognised as the critical step for the DART+ programme which will help to enable DART+ South West and indeed the other infrastructure projects of the programme to develop for a number of reasons. These include the new depot in the Maynooth-Kilcock area to be delivered as part of the DART+ West project, providing essential stabling and maintenance facilities for the expanded fleet for the entire DART+ programme which is a prerequisite for supporting a service pattern across the entire DART+ network, including DART+ South West. DART+ West will deliver the critical electrification of the city centre rail network and the necessary city centre capacity upgrades. This is a prerequisite for future trains coming from the DART+ South West to enter the city centre network at Glasnevin junction for the Phoenix Park tunnel on the electrified and capacity upgraded rail system. Also, upgrades delivered under DART+ West, such as re-signalling and electrification, are vital for accommodating increased frequency envisaged on the DART+ South West. Finally, the new station for Spencer Dock, included as part of DART+ West, is a key node for future service integration supporting the operational flexibility required for DART+ South West, as several services will be terminated in the new station helping to address capacity issues around Connolly Station. The Department of Transport will continue to explore opportunities for additional funding, including through funding streams such as the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility, CEF, to complement national Exchequer funding, which may allow some projects to proceed to construction earlier than currently anticipated, including DART+ South West.

Sentiment score: 0.32

Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue this evening. I will relay the key important points that the Deputy raised to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. As I stated earlier, to recap some of the recent developments within the DART+ South West project, the NDP sectorial investment plan for transport was published in November last. It enables advancements of various elements of the DART+ programme, including DART+ West. The roll-out of the new DART+ fleet, which is currently undergoing safety testing, will progress from 2027 onwards and will allow the cascade of the existing train fleet to service new areas on the national rail network. We will also see the redeployment of this fleet in a manner for Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority to decide on the basis of a range of factors and this has the potential for some of that fleet to be deployed to DART+ South West lines. That, indeed, will add additional capacity in advance in the infrastructure upgrades. To the Deputy's point that this is about funding, the Department will continue to explore opportunities for additional funding, including through funding streams such as the European Union Connecting Europe Facility, CEF, to complement national Exchequer funding. The NDP will again be reviewed around 2028 and updated at that point. This will also provide an additional opportunity to examine the potential to provide additional funding to additional projects, as the Deputy stated earlier, through the DART+ South West programme.

Sentiment score: 0.24

I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. From the outset, I would like to clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for both policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-State body, however, CIÉ is responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees - this is consistent with the pension arrangements of all other semi-State bodies. Issues in relation to CIÉ's pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ group and its employees. Decisions relating to the administration of CIÉ pension schemes, including pension increases, are a matter for the CIÉ board, guided by the relevant statutory instruments and actuarial advice. The 1951 superannuation scheme is one of two defined benefit pension schemes operated by the CIÉ Group, the other being the regular wages staff scheme. Between the years of 2008 and 2022, neither scheme met the statutory minimum funding standard set by the Pensions Authority, which meant no pension increases could be granted during that period. While both schemes met the minimum funding standard at the end of 2023, they have grown increasingly costly, posing a serious financial risk to CIÉ. As of December 2024, the combined pension liability stood at €361 million, the largest of its kind in the State, rendering CIÉ technically insolvent. This situation is unsustainable and out of line with practice in other commercial semi-States where new employees are no longer admitted to defined benefit schemes. Furthermore, no pension increases have been provided for the past 18 years due to the fragile funding position. Given the scale of the liability, CIÉ’s primary objective has been to close both defined benefit schemes to new entrants to protect the benefits of existing members and the solvency of the CIÉ Group and to establish a new defined contribution scheme. To this end, the Minister for Transport welcomed and commended the constructive and collaborative approach taken by the trade union group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward to resolve this matter. The Minister has also acknowledged the positive outcome from the ballot held from 11 July to 15 August 2025 on the CIÉ pension proposal for both CIÉ pensions schemes. Following on from this constructive and collaborative agreement, the Department of Transport is engaging with CIÉ as well as financial advisers at NewERA and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active and retired scheme members. In line with procedures laid out in the annex on remuneration and superannuation to the code of practice for the governance of State bodies 2016, as amended in Circular 16/2021, CIÉ must provide the Minister for Transport with a formal consent request in respect of any changes to the schemes. The Department of Transport must then submit that ministerial consent request to the Minister for public expenditure, infrastructure and public service reform for consideration. Following on from the dual ministerial review, under the Transport Act 1950, a statutory public consultation process is required regarding amendments to CIÉ pension schemes where any representations from interested parties will be considered. The Minister for Transport may therefore confirm, modify or reject an amending scheme in accordance with the process set out under the Transport Act. Under section 44 of the Transport Act 1950, CIÉ is required to publish notification of any proposed change to its superannuation schemes in Iris Oifigiúil and at its head office for a period of not less than 28 days.

Sentiment score: 0.30

The Minister for Transport acknowledges the long-standing tradition within the CIÉ Group of ensuring the terms and conditions of employees, which include pension provisions, are negotiated collectively with the recognised trade unions. As I said, the Minister is responsible for policy and operational matters within transport. Pension schemes and provisions are the responsibility of CIÉ and its trusteed. However, the Minister is engaging proactively with all of the relevant stakeholders to progress this matter. I assure the Deputy that he is raising this important matter and securing the dual ministerial consent for the statutory instrument. We have to follow due process in regard to the responsibility of both the Minister for Transport and the Minister for public expenditure and reform following that period of consultation, which will be launched prior to the implementation of the new CIÉ pension scheme. It is a key focus of the Department to ensure all stakeholders endeavour to achieve this at the earliest possible opportunity while keeping in line with the appropriate processes and ensuring it is in compliance with the relevant regulations and statutory instruments to ensure all necessary approvals are given effect and all agreements are honoured. I thank the Deputy for bringing up this important matter. We all know people who have given enormous service to CIÉ over many decades and we want them to be supported in regard to their pension entitlements. It is important to bring these concerns to the floor of the Dáil. I will convey all of the Deputy’s points to the Minister, Deputy O’Brien.

Sentiment score: 0.38