Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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95. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed development of the Luas to Bray, County Wicklow; the next steps required to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53497/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is no doubt aware the recently published National Development Plan indicates that the forthcoming Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area(GDA) will set out additional proposals for the development of future Luas lines to better connect communities and enable transport-led development.

I can inform the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) will very shortly publish a revised Strategyfor public consultation. As part of that, the NTA will also publish a range of background analyses, including one related to Bray and its surrounding area. I am informed that a proposal for a Luas line to Bray will be recommended by the revised Strategy.

As the Deputy is aware the Strategyhas a statutory basis and must be reflected in relevant land-use plans for the GDA. It is a requirement of the legislation that the Strategybe reviewed every six years and that is why it is currently under review.

The Strategywill address the future requirements for public transport in the GDA, including the requirement for Luas, both in terms of meeting the capacity requirements on existing lines, as well as the need for new Luas corridors.

In terms of process, the revised Strategywill be published shortly with a six-week period open for people to make their views known. Following the conclusion of the consultation process, the NTA will review and assess all of the submissions and once finalized, the Strategywill be submitted for Ministerial approval in accordance with the legislative requirements.

I would note that inclusion in any revised Strategyis the first step in what is a very detailed and often lengthy process to enable projects move from the strategic support, enabled by inclusion in a Transport Strategy,to being a project with a Preliminary Business Case seeking approval to enter the statutory planning process.