Vol. 563 No. 1
187 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport the contractual completion date for the three Luas lines; if it is expected that these dates will be met; if all the funding is in place to allow the lines to commence operation when completed; the final estimated cost of the project at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which this compares, in each case, with the original estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7105/03]
Construction of the two Luas lines from Tallaght to Connolly Station, lines A and C, and from Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green, line B, is progressing. Significant milestones for the project have already been achieved. The depot at Red Cow is now complete and the 26 trams for the Tallaght line have been delivered. Construction of the Sandyford depot is complete, fitting out will begin shortly, the first 40 metre tram for the line has been received and the remaining 13 trams will be delivered over the coming weeks.
Almost all enabling works, such as utilities, diversions and bridge building are complete and the land and property acquisitions programme is well advanced. A significant amount of track has been laid and the test tracks at Red Cow and Sandyford are in place.
In December 2002 responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Luas project passed from CIE to the Railway Procurement Agency. The detail of individual contracts is a matter for the agency. It has informed me that the contractual completion dates, October 2003 for line A-C and December 2003 for line B, will not be met and that the contractor involved has indicated that a 16 week delay can be expected. It also told me that, based on its projections, a more realistic timetable for completion would be May 2004 for the Tallaght to Connolly Station line and March 2004 for the Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green line. Accordingly, the RPA is in negotiation with the contractor as regards the consequences of these delays.
A period of up to three months will be required following these dates for testing, commissioning and general safety checking before passenger services commence. I have conveyed my concerns about the delays to the RPA. I have asked that all necessary steps are taken to ensure that services commence at the earliest possible date.
The initial budget submitted to the Department by CIE for the project was €466 million in 1999 prices, based on preliminary estimates. This budget was subsequently revised in February 2001 to €675 million to take account of actual competition tender prices received, reflecting high inflation in the construction sector, higher than anticipated property acquisition costs and changes to the scope of the project, mainly related to the provision for upgrading line B to metro status. Capital funding for construction of the lines, estimated currently at €691 million, is in place. The RPA has also made financial provision for risk and contingency.
