Vol. 491 No. 6
51 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if a Supplementary Estimate will be moved to meet the additional cost of placing a Luas system underground in view of the fact that the European Commission will not provide additional funding for this option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12698/98]
A Supplementary Estimate for the Luas project will not be required this year as adequate funding has already been voted for the expenditure which will take place in 1998. As I have already indicated to this House, preliminary studies on the underground section are expected to be undertaken in 1998. Borehole drilling will not take place until 1999.
Future funding for the project will be addressed as part of the normal budgetary process when Government prepares its annual public capital programme. The light rail project will also be submitted for EU assistance under the next round of EU Structural and Cohesion funding. The Deputy can be assured that appropriate funding arrangements will be put in place to deliver on the Government's commitment to the light rail project.
