Yeah, the 22000 allocation on the Connolly side needs to be looked at I think. Since the 2800s left Dublin, 22000s have taken over their duties- the link that used to be allocated to a 6-car 2800 is now a 2x3 22000. I like this personally beause it means I can get the 9:55 Clonsilla to Pearse(9.40 ex Maynooth) and enjoy the extra comfort outside of rush hour
But that set would probably be more useful elsewhere- I see it during the day doing to Drogheda at 1330 from Pearse and arriving back around 1905.
The only railcars available now for service around Connolly are the 29000s and 22000s, both being based out of Drogheda, so they are being considered equivalent it seems. I suspect there is actually a shortage now of commuter stock without the 2800s so 22000s are having to be substitued. This will only get worse as the 29000s age and require more maintenance/overhauls. So as Mickey says, sure, there are plenty of 22000s available now, but there are actually too many of them and not enough commuter stock so they are having to operate commuter links and end up unavailable for more suited services.
The use of 22000s on the Dunboyne branch really needs to be stopped too- a 3 car set shuttles to and from Clonsilla for most of the late evening during the week, and it's complete overkill for the demand and travel time involved.
The Sligo line is still seeing 8 car 29000s on Fridays and Sundays, I don't know enough to speculate about the demand there.