Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the latest estimate for the cost of the Metro west proposal. [16931/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, there is a statutory, long-term strategic plan for the future development of transport in the Greater Dublin Area as required under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. The strategy is known as the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035 and is available to view on the website of the National Transport Authority, www.nationaltransport.ie  

The Transport Strategy contains a number of proposed light-rail/metro projects for the GDA over the next 20 years or so, these are -

- A Metro from the city centre to North County Dublin

- Upgrade of the Luas Green Line in advance of the switch to Metro

- A Metro from the city centre to South County Dublin (along the Luas Green Line)

- Luas Cross City

- Extend the Luas Green Line to Bray

- Extend the Luas Cross City to Finglas

- Extend the Luas Red Line to Poolbeg

- New Luas to Lucan

Metro West is not included in the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 and its potential development did not form part of any deliberations informing the development of Project Ireland 2040.

From the list provided above, Luas CrossCity is now complete and operations began in December 2017.

Project Ireland 2040 provides indicative allocations toward the development of MetroLink and the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project, while it is also provides indicative allocations toward the appraisal, planning and design of Luas network expansion to Bray, Finglas, Lucan and Poolbeg. 

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the latest estimate for the cost of the Cork light rail proposal. [16932/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware a draft Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy is currently being finalised by Cork City Council and Cork County Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The strategy will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services across the Cork Metropolitan Area, for the period up to 2040. 

The draft strategy will contain proposals relating to all  modes of transport including - 

- a BusConnects Cork type programme;

- enhancements to the commuter rail service, including additional stations;

- a future light rail or bus rapid transit corridor to serve the increased population growth out to 2040 as envisaged by the National Planning Framework; and

- a number of bus and rail-based  park & ride sites.

I understand that the draft strategy will contain indicative costings in respect of implementation.

The draft strategy will shortly be published for public consultation.  The purpose of this consultation process will be to elicit feedback on any issues or concerns arising in relation to the various proposals. The strategy will then be finalised in light of feedback received.