Lawless wants to fast-track Dart+ South West for Kildare commuters

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and TD for Kildare North James Lawless has reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating the delivery of the DART+ South West project, describing it as “essential
infrastructure for a rapidly growing commuter region.”

The DART+ South West scheme will electrify and upgrade the rail network serving stations such as Adamstown, Hazelhatch, and Sallins, dramatically increasing capacity and reducing journey times for thousands of commuters.

“The advancement of DART+ South West has been my top transport priority,” Minister Lawless said. “In the last three months alone I have written formally to the Minister for Transport, met senior Department officials and Irish Rail executives, and
raised the issue directly with the Taoiseach to ensure the case for acceleration is heard at the highest level.”

Minister Lawless revealed that he has received strong indications that DART+ South West is now considered the number one prospect for acceleration within the national transport programme. Irish Rail continues procurement evaluations so that
construction can begin swiftly once funding is confirmed.

When complete, DART+ South West will offer up to 12 trains per hour, giving commuters greater flexibility with direct services to Heuston and to the city centre via Connolly and Docklands. This will ease congestion on the M7, M4, and M50 and
deliver a greener, faster alternative for thousands of daily journeys.

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“With traffic volumes now exceeding pre-Covid levels, the need for this investment is urgent,” Minister Lawless added. “This project will transform rail travel for Kildare and west Dublin, while also strengthening the backbone of our national rail network. I have long advocated for investment and campaigned for commuters, having entered politics after founding the commuter lobby group Naas & Sallins Rail Users Group (NASRUG) to fight for better services.”

While the focus is firmly on DART+ South West, Minister Lawless also welcomed progress on DART+ West, which will extend electrification to Kilcock as part of its first phase. Irish Rail is expected to lodge a planning application early this year for a
new maintenance depot west of Kilcock, paving the way for double-tracking and electrification from Maynooth to Kilcock.
“Both projects are transformative for communities in north Kildare and west Dublin,”

Minister Lawless concluded. “I will continue working to make sure they stay on track.”