Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date of work on the new Luas line, including current money spent on project; the numbers employed at present; and projected time of completion. [40908/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Luas light rail projects, comes under the remit of the NTA. I am however carefully monitoring progress and can advise that the project is progressing well and that the essential advance works are underway.  The building condition works along the Luas Cross City corridor have been completed and the Cellars Infill works are underway. The contract for the Heritage Works has been awarded with works expected to commence in the coming weeks. The Utilities Works contract will be awarded shortly with the aim that substantive work will commence in January 2014. The numbers employed by the various contractors will vary from week to week depending on the work underway at any given time.

The EU Official Journal notice seeking advance expressions of interest for the main infrastructure contract will be published shortly. This is the start of the procurement process for the main contract and the aim is to appoint the contractor in quarter 4,  2014.  Work on the main contract is expected to commence in early 2015 and to be completed by the end of 2016. Following testing, commissioning and trial runs the line is currently targeted to open in quarter four 2017. My Department has provided funding of €24.3 million to date to the NTA for the project.