Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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438. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide details of the review of key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of the capital funding envelope; when a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made, especially with respect to the Metrolink Southwest and the post-2042 Luas lines in the NTA strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47268/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

The NTA published the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 in January 2023. This strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA. Luas extensions to Finglas, Lucan, Bray, and Poolbeg, along with the Metrolink project from Swords to Dublin City Centre, the BusConnects Dublin and DART+ programmes, are all planned for delivery within the 2022–2042 strategy.

In parallel, major public transport projects are also planned outside the GDA, including BusConnects programmes in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford, as well as the proposed Luas Cork line from Ballincollig to Mahon and improvements to Ireland's wider rail network.

A number of other light rail proposed lines are cited in the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 for delivery post-2042. The Programme for Government commits to commissioning an independent feasibility study continuing MetroLink from the city to South West Dublin. That feasibility study is related to the conclusion of the statutory planning process for MetroLink, which is currently underway.

The Department of Transport's annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030, and the Government's overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035, were confirmed in the recently in the National Development Plan Review 2025, published in July. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made shortly.

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.