Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to recommence the Luas Lucan F1 project in view of the fact that this project was halted at an advanced stage of planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40690/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Given the constraints on the public finances, a number of projects, including the extension of the Luas to Lucan, were deferred under the Government's 5-year capital programme, Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework, published in November 2011.

The priority for the next year with the funding available for public transport is to preserve existing assets, maintain safety standards and continue funding of  the LUAS Cross City project so that it will open as planned in 2017.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning  and development of public transport infrastructure  in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In this regard  the NTA will in 2015 update their  Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area to take account of future requirements  having regard to the latest  relevant statistics and transport data. This will include a review of the public transport requirements for the Lucan area.

In addition, early in 2015 I expect to receive reports from the NTA on the updated business case for DART Underground, the outcome of the Dublin North Rail study and a business case for a Bus Rapid Transit  route. The outcome from all this work will inform the prioritisation of projects for funding over the coming years. Delivery of projects prioritised will be dependent on the funding available under the next capital plan.