Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the extent to which it is intended to increase car parking facilities at each of the rail stations throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18331/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the extent to which the optimum requirement in terms of car parking space has been identified in respect of each rail station throughout County Kildare; the extent to which this is expected to meet the needs of commuters in the future; his intentions to substantially increase the parking facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18332/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he has been in touch with Kildare County Council and Iarnród Éireann with a view to providing adequate car parking at all towns throughout the county, with particular reference to meeting the parking requirements adjacent to commuter rail stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together.

While the selection of particular stations for the development and the extension of car park facilities is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the local authority in the first instance, my Department has approved investment in park and ride facilities at Iarnród Éireann rail stations totalling €10.915 million, including the stations at Newbridge and Leixlip-Louisabridge. These improvement works will increase the total car parking available at rail stations by over 1,600 spaces.

The cost of feasibility studies by Irish Rail on a car park expansion programme are also being funded by my Department. When these studies are completed, I expect that my Department will discuss their findings and the further development of park and ride at railway stations with Irish Rail.

In addition, car park provision will form part of major new railway infrastructure works such as the Kildare Route Project and the Navan Rail Link.