Vol. 565 No. 3
347 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if there is a possibility of the Luas project compensating the community of Kingswood Heights in Tallaght for the various upsets relating to the development of Luas by offering funding towards a children's playground in Ballymount Park, Kingswood, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/03]
As the Deputy is aware, day-to-day management of the Luas light rail project is the responsibility of the Railway Procurement Agency. The capital budget approved by the Government for the project provides for the direct costs associated with the design and construction of the Luas and also provides for a significant landscaping programme for areas most affected by construction. I understand that Kingswood Heights will be a major beneficiary of this programme.
I appreciate that businesses and residents along the route of the Luas will experience disruption during the construction phase. However, when services commence in 2004, the Luas will offer an attractive, modern, public transport system that, I hope, will far outweigh any inconveniences that are being suffered at the present time.
