John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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810. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Luas extensions and the detailed time line for completion. [23775/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).In this regard, the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA(comprising the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow) for the period 2016-2035, provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. It includes proposals for extensions of the existing Luas lines.  Following approval of the Strategy, and in accordance with its statutory mandate, the NTA has now commenced work on a six year Integrated Implementation Plan.  The capital funding for public transport for this period are set out in the new Capital Plan, 'Building on Recovery' Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021.  Funding is being provided under the Capital Plan  for completion of the Luas Cross City project.  The project is well advanced and is on time and within budget with operations scheduled to commence in Q4, 2017.

Once completed, Luas Cross City will significantly enhance accessibility and integration of public transport in Dublin.  The project will provide an interchange between the existing Red and Green Lines in the City Centre and will serve the new Dublin Institute of Technology campus at Grangegorman. 

The timeline for additional extensions of the Luas will be determined in the context of future Integrated Implementation Plans brought forward by the NTA for implementation of the Strategy and future Government Capital Reviews.  Such projects would also be subject to appraisal and evaluation (including review of a detailed business case) under the Public Spending Code as well as the availability of funding.