Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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233. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Government’s commitment to delivering the MetroLink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4645/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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MetroLink is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30 that the Government is committed to delivering.

A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when MetroLink received Decision Gate (DG) 1 approval under the Public Spending Code (PSC) from the Government. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage and on 30 September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory consultation period for this submission closed on 16 January this year.

Assuming timely planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, and Government approval at DG 2 and DG 3 of the PSC, MetroLink could commence construction in late 2025 such that it would start operations in the early 2030s.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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234. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeline for the MetroLink project to move to the planning and procurement processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4646/23]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated dates for the publication of the detailed project brief and procurement strategy as part of the final business case stage for the MetroLink project and the ensuing tender documents. [4647/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.

A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the project received Decision Gate (DG) 1 approval under the Public Spending Code (PSC) from Cabinet. This decision enabled the project to move to the planning application stage and on 30 September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory consultation period for this submission closed on 16 January this year.

A detailed project brief and procurement strategy is being prepared as MetroLink progresses towards DG2 of the PSC. Assuming timely planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, and Government approval at DG 2 of the PSC, the procurement process for the project will be finalised by 2025.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply to the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the consultation period for the application of the MetroLink project will be further extended; the length of time it will take to review stakeholders’ submissions; and if his Department intends to launch any further public consultations on the railway through the project lifecycle. [4648/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the MetroLink project is to be procured by public private partnership; if he will provide details of the share of total construction costs to be funded by public expenditure, as well as the funding levels secured to date in budget 2023 and the National Development Plan 2021-2030. [4649/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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MetroLink is at a relatively early stage of development and final construction costs will not be known until after the planning and procurement processes. Approximately three-quarters of the total MetroLink construction expenditure is expected to be funded by the Exchequer, with the remainder funded through public-private partnership (PPP) which will be repaid after services begin operation. A detailed project brief and procurement strategy is being prepared as MetroLink progresses towards Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code.

Over €850 million has been allocated for capital investment in public transport infrastructure in Budget 2023. This funding will support the delivery of better public transport services to citizens and the progression of public transport projects and programmes across the country, including the continued development of MetroLink.

The National Development Plan (NDP) has set out a €35 billion funding envelope for investment in transport between 2021 and 2030. MetroLink is a strategic investment priority in the NDP and it is expected that the funding delivered under the current NDP will allow MetroLink to begin construction later this decade.