Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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498. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ringfence funding and commit necessary resources, including human resources, to ensure that construction on the Cork Luas commences by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20568/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) sets out a framework for transport development in the Cork Metropolitan Area up to 2040. The National Transport Authority (NTA) developed CMATS in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council, and Cork County Council. A key principle for CMATS is to reduce dependency on the private car within the Cork commuter area, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options, such as Cork Area Commuter Rail, BusConnects Cork, active travel, and light rail.

The National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 committed to funding the continued development and design of light rail in Cork. As Minister for Transport, I recognise that the development of an east-west mass transit, rapid transport corridor has been a long-term objective for the Cork area. The Luas Cork project seeks to provide this high-capacity public transport corridor connecting Ballincollig to Mahon Point via the city centre. The project is being developed by TII as the Sponsoring Agency in collaboration with the NTA, the delegated day-to-day Approving Authority.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. A key consideration of mine, for the upcoming NDP review, will be the capacity of the NDP funding envelope to deliver on existing and strategically important transport infrastructure commitments, including the funding needs for any new or accelerated projects, including Luas Cork. This project will be considered in that context.

A public consultation on the emerging preferred route for the Luas Cork project was recently launched on 14th April 2025. The project will be subject to planning approval from An Bord Pleanála. As a proposed investment of over €200 million, it will also need to undergo extensive appraisal, in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. The commencement date of this proposed project will be partly determined by the outcome of these approval processes.