Revised National Development Plan delivers €1bn for Cork rail expansion and new stations

More than €1bn will accelerate Cork’s commuter rail expansion as the updated NDP shifts transport spending towards a new 1:1 ratio

The plan aims to provide enough capacity for trains to run between Mallow, Midleton, and Cobh every 10 minutes. This would see 16m passenger journeys each year. Picture:iStock

More than €1bn is set to be provided for the development of Cork’s new commuter rail upgrade on Wednesday as part of the updated National Development Plan (NDP) allocations.

Cabinet will approve the Department of Transport’s sectoral plan on Wednesday. It will see an end to the previous government’s commitment to a 2:1 ratio of spending on public transport compared to roads.

Government sources said the new ratio will be closer to 1:1 spending on public transport versus roads.

One source said it would change depending on the year, with overall capital spending on public transport “slightly ahead” of roads.

It is understood that transport minister Darragh O’Brien has secured over €1bn worth of capital funding to go towards the second phase of the Cork area commuter rail programme, which includes eight stations and two park and ride facilities on the city’s northside.

The plan aims to provide enough capacity for trains to run between Mallow, Midleton, and Cobh every 10 minutes. This would see 16m passenger journeys each year.

The new stations would be in Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West, and Water-rock.

Development of new train stations at Blackpool and Dunkettle would take place first, while also enabling electrification works and depot construction.

The delivery manager for the project, AJ Cronin, previously said Irish Rail hoped the railway procurement order for five stations could be sent forward in 2026, with construction to conclude by 2030.

While the first round of public consultation concluded in July, it is expected a further round will take place before any railway order is sought.

Bus fleet electrification

The updated plan will also see funds provided to finish out phase one of the rail upgrade, expected to facilitate further housing development in Blackpool, Carrigtwohill, the city quays, and Mahon.

The wider capital allocation is expected to continue the development of BusConnects across Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford. Sources said this would include the electrification of the bus fleet.

Previously announced projects, including the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway, are set to be included in the updated plan.

The motorway, approved by Cabinet in April, is expected to cost €456m, and to be completed by summer 2028.

Cabinet will also sign off on the sectoral plan for the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality.

In total, the department is expected to spend €795m on capital projects between 2026 and 2030, including more early learning and childcare places, additional disability services, capital investment in Tusla, and the construction of playgrounds.

The revised National Development Plan, announced in July, will see €102bn invested into capital projects between 2026 and 2030. Between now and 2035, there will be over €200bn spent on capital projects.

The total funding for the Department of Transport is €22.3bn. The largest capital allocation (€35.9bn) was provided to the Department of Housing. Of this, €28.3bn will fund housing development. Some €7.6bn will support the construction of essential water infrastructure across the country.

Major Cork projects advancing

A series of major road, rail and public transport projects for Cork are progressing as part of the revised NDP. These include: 

BusConnects Cork – €2.3bn to €3.5bn 

• Major transformation of bus, cycling and walking networks.
• High-frequency bus corridors, improved orbital routes and 24-hour services.
• Designed to reduce congestion and support Cork’s growth as Ireland’s second city.

Cork Area Commuter Rail – €1bn+

• Largest rail investment in Cork’s history.
• Track upgrades, modern signalling and increased capacity on Mallow, Cobh and Midleton lines.
• Network to be electrification-ready, in line with the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.

N/M20 Cork–Limerick – €1.2bn to €2bn 

• New high-quality inter-regional corridor.
• Full bypasses of Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville.
• Major safety upgrade; procurement expected in 2029, construction after 2030.

M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy – €456m 

• Construction underway.
• Provides modern link to Ringaskiddy and the Port of Cork.
• Largely complete by end of 2028.

N25 Midleton–Youghal Bypasses – €100m to €250m 

• Removes significant bottlenecks at Castlemartyr and Killeagh.
• Construction targeted for 2030.

N22 Macroom to Ovens (Cost TBC) 

• Key safety and capacity upgrade.
• At pre-approval stage; construction expected after 2030.

Great Island Connectivity Scheme – €100m to €250m+ 

• Upgrades to the R624 and strategic access route to Cobh.
• Construction expected in 2030.

Cork Northern Distributor Road (Cost TBC) 

• Major new orbital route linking Carrigrohane to Glanmire.
• Intended to ease N40 pressure and open new areas for housing and employment.

Mallow Relief Road – €30m to €60m 

• Advancing through design and appraisal.
• Multi-annual funding allocation to follow as statutory stages progress.