Housing plan recognises rail’s key role in unlocking development potential

13 Samhain 2025

CEO welcomes plan's publication, as major rail developments underway countrywide to grow service capacity and enable housing growth

Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Mary Considine has welcomed the publication of the Government’s new “Delivering Homes, Building Communities” Housing Plan, which highlights the key role strong public transport infrastructure – including a range of rail investments – can play in supporting housing development and delivery.

Under Pillar 1 of the plan, Activating Supply the role of rail investment projects currently underway in supporting the delivery of tens of thousands of homes across our major urban areas is stressed. 

Reacting to the publication of the plan, Mary Considine said “the strategic connection between housing delivery and infrastructure development is a clear thread through the entirety of the new housing plan, and one that is hugely welcome.”

“As well as the projects underway, we in Iarnród Éireann are working with national agencies, regional assemblies and local authorities to advance the pipeline of projects needed to unlock the potential for housing supply along high capacity rail corridors now, and into the medium and long-term.  The NTA’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, and the All-Island Strategic Rail Review provide the frameworks, and we are excited to develop these major transport projects and housing enablers with cross-agency support.”

“We look forward to working with Government Departments including our parent department the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority and the new Housing Activation Office and the agencies represented therein to play our role in the collaborative approach needed to deliver this most crucial of national priorities.”

Rail projects underway referenced in the housing plan, and set to support the delivery of tens of thousands of homes during the lifetime of the housing plan include:

• “In Cork, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme will support housing in Blackpool, Carrigtwohill, Mahon and the City Quays and Tivoli” – infrastructure works to treble the capacity for rail services in Cork will be complete at the end of 2026, with planning applications about to commence for new stations, and a Railway Order for electrification works and a new depot in preparation

• “in Dublin projects commenced will support housing delivery in… Barnhill / Kellystown, Broombridge, Clonburris (left) (and) Dunsink”.  With Railway Orders secured for DART+ West, South West and Coastal North, enabling works will begin in 2026, with new rail capacity coming on line from 2027 as the first of 185 new carriages for the DART+ network begin entering service

• “The redevelopment of Ceannt and Oranmore stations in Galway will enable the delivery of approximately 2,000 units” The expanded Ceannt Station in the heart of Galway will be completed in Summer 2026, with Oranmore’s new platform and infrastructure complete in 2027.
• “Limerick’s redeveloped Colbert and the new station at Moyross supporting up to 6,500 new homes, as well as student accommodation.” Colbert’s new passenger facilities opened last year, and Moyross planning permission has just been granted, with construction targeted to begin in 2026.
• “the relocated Plunkett Station in Waterford as well as the newly constructed sustainable transport bridge and supporting active travel and local road infrastructure will enable the creation of a new city quarter on the North Quays.” Station works are well advanced, and the new integrated transport hub will open in 2027.