The Public Accounts Committee has warned spending on the Dublin Metrolink must not top €9.5bn.
In a report published on Tuesday, they outlined their frustrations over the €300m spent on Metro projects up to March 2023 when construction hasn’t even begun.
And said they will actively monitor the value-for-money achieved from an estimated €70 billion worth of projects in the 2021-2030 National Development Plan and the NTA’s Greater Dublin Transport Strategy for 2016-2035.
A PAC spokesperson said: “The most likely cost for the construction of the Metrolink system was estimated at €9.5 billion by the Department in April 2023, with the most credible capital cost ranging from €7.16 billion to €12.25 billion, although some estimates for the project allow for a cost as high as €21.5 billion.
“The Committee is concerned at the range of estimates and expresses its wish that the cost of the project does not exceed €9.5 billion, particularly in light of other public infrastructure projects such as the National Children’s Hospital, which is projected to be completed significantly over-budget.”
While the business case for the Dublin Metrolink has been agreed, concerns were raised about expenditure up to March, including for the abandoned Metro North and the Metro West projects.
The committee also warned of the potential costs to further delays to the Metrolink project, which is not expected to be finished before 2034.
PAC Cathaoirleach, Deputy Brian Stanley, said: “The need for a Metro system for Dublin was first proposed in the Platform for Change strategy published in 2000 and was due to be in operation by 2010.
“Planning permission for the Metro North line was granted in 2011 but was later suspended by the then Government due to the economic downturn.
“A new Metro North project was announced by the NTA in September 2015, with services due to commence in 2026. Metrolink succeeded that project and according to correspondence from the Department in April 2023, Metrolink services are currently projected to commence in 2034.
“The Committee is frustrated at how long it has taken from the initial proposal for a metro system in Dublin, to the most recent date for completion. According to that timeline, Metrolink will be delivered 23 years after planning permission was granted to the original Metro North project and 34 years after it was first proposed in Platform for Change.
“It is imperative for the final cost, amongst other reasons, that Metrolink is completed on time, as it has been estimated that each year of delay would add additional costs of between €100 million and €300 million, in addition to delaying the economic and social benefits associated with Metrolink.”
PAC recommends the Department of Transport provides it with a report on Metrolink by September 2023 which includes an updated expenditure breakdown on the project to date and the most up-to-date cost estimate, as well as an updated timeline with milestones missed or achieved.
The Committee also recommends that the NTA reports in the same timeframe on lessons learned from “ineffective expenditure” to date on the Metro and Dart Interconnector projects, and provides details on what it is doing to prevent ineffective expenditure on current and future projects.
They also asked that the NTA provides twice-yearly updates on the BusConnects programme which has estimated expenditure of up to €3.4 billion in Dublin and €600 million in Cork with further costs expected on similar schemes in Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
PAC also recommends the NTA provide the Committee with modelling by October 2023 on the projected impact of Metrolink, Dart+ and BusConnects on the number of passenger journeys and modal shift in the Greater Dublin Area, and other cities.
Deputy Stanley added: “Achieving a significant modal shift from private car to public transport, or indeed walking or cycling, would help the State achieve a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Committee underlines the need for effective spending in the area of public transport to achieve this goal.”
The report makes 11 recommendations on five issues examined by the Committee.
They are:
- Evaluating Exchequer spending on public transport infrastructure projects
- Ineffective Exchequer expenditure on key public transport infrastructure projects
- Expenditure on the enhancement of infrastructure to encourage modal shifts in travel within the State
- PPP contracts/matters concerning toll schemes
- Expenditure on Irish Coast Guard operations and fleet.
