Written answer
Rail Network
The four GDA light-rail projects are Finglas, Poolbeg, Bray and Lucan. Finglas has planning approval, with construction due by 2029; Poolbeg is at pre-feasibility, Bray is targeted for 2031-36, and Lucan will undergo route consultation in 2026. Luas Cork’s preferred route has been published and design work continues.
199. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the roll out of light rail; to provide an update on the delivery over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter . [67301/26]
Comment on this
As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including light rail.
There are four light rail proposals identified for development and delivery within the lifetime of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022 - 2042. These are proposed expansions of the Luas network to Finglas, Lucan, Poolbeg and Bray. Other possible projects, identified in the Transport Strategy, for delivery in the period after 2042.
Luas Finglas is the most advanced Luas expansion project, having secured a Railway Order in October 2025. With legal challenges resolved, the project now has full planning permission. I understand that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is currently preparing the Approval Gate 2 documentation, which is expected to be submitted to my Department and the NTA in the coming months. The project is identified in the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport as part of the National Development Plan Review 2025. Specifically, under the Sectoral Investment Plan, the main construction works will commence by 2029, and some enabling works may commence beforehand.
The development of a Luas red line extension to serve Poolbeg is another of the proposals in the NTA's Transport Strategy. The Luas Poolbeg Pre-Feasibility study has been completed by TII. TII have submitted the Project Outline Document (POD) to the NTA, as required under the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework.
An extension of the Luas Green Line to Bray is identified as a medium-term project under the Transport Strategy, with delivery envisaged during the 2031-2036 period as part of wider Luas network expansion plans. The NTA have commissioned a a pre-feasibility study to assess the viability of the scheme.
TII and the NTA are advancing Luas Lucan through the project development process. Work is ongoing to identify the emerging preferred route, with a non-statutory public consultation expected to take place in 2026.
Outside of the GDA, Luas Cork has progressed through two rounds of public consultation, with the Preferred Route published in April 2026. Earlier this month, TII published the post-consultation report, the findings of which will inform ongoing route design. The project is currently advancing through design development and preparation of a Preliminary Business Case, which will be required before planning approval and future construction can proceed.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.