Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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226. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected timeline for commencement and completion of the proposed light rail system for Cork city; and if the project is guaranteed funding under the National Development Plan allocations 2026–2035. [48384/25]

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.

Following detailed analysis of projected travel demand, CMATS established that an east-west alignment, extending from Ballingcollig in the west to Mahon in the east would be the appropriate corridor for light rail. TII held a non-statutory public consultation on the emerging preferred route for Luas Cork, which runs from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, between 14 April and 9 June of this year. The Department understands that approximately 1,000 responses were received as part of the public consultation and the issues highlighted in those submissions are now being considered.

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 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.