Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the announcement of €27 million in funding to accelerate the delivery of three new train stations in Cork and Kildare.

The funding is being provided under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) and will support new stations at Blarney and Water Rock in Cork and Maynooth West in Kildare.

The investment will improve public transport connectivity and help facilitate the delivery of more than 12,000 new homes in the surrounding areas.

Minister Canney said: “This is a very welcome investment in our rail infrastructure which will not only improve public transport connectivity but also support the delivery of thousands of much-needed homes.

“Good transport infrastructure is essential to the development of sustainable communities. By ensuring that new housing developments are well served by public transport, we can reduce reliance on private cars, improve connectivity and make these areas more attractive places to live and work.

“This investment is also a good example of how Government departments can work together to deliver the infrastructure needed to support housing development and ensure that transport services are planned alongside new communities.

“The funding will allow these important rail projects to progress much sooner than would otherwise have been possible, and that is very welcome.”

The new station at Maynooth West will support the delivery of more than 6,000 homes, with construction potentially beginning in late 2028.

In Cork, the stations at Blarney and Water Rock are expected to facilitate 3,700 homes and between 2,500 and 3,000 homes respectively.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the two Cork stations is expected to begin in late 2027 or early 2028, with both stations expected to open in 2029.

The projects form part of the Government’s wider investment in public transport, including the DART+ and Cork Area Commuter Rail programmes.

Minister Canney added: “Continued investment in our rail network is essential to meeting the needs of our growing population. These three new stations will strengthen public transport connections and demonstrate the important role rail can play in supporting housing delivery and economic development.”