Progress on €600m Luas Finglas extension could be 'catastrophic' for local youth service
Luas Finglas is closer to reality than ever, but one local group feels they have not been properly consulted.
At last week’s North West Area Committee meeting, David Weldon from Traffic Infrastructure Ireland (TII) delivered an update for representatives on how the extension of the Luas Green Line from Broombridge to Charlestown via Finglas was progressing. While the goal is for construction to commence by 2029, there are concerns about how this will affect vulnerable youths in the area.
Social Democrats Councillor Mary Callaghan said the Finglas Youth Centre have not been contacted about the project’s development for over a year and that there is fear around how its implementation might affect the 400 young people the centre serves. A new Luas stop planned for “right outside their door,” she explained that this has the potential to be “catastrophic” for their service.
Highlighting the potential for anti-social behaviour, Cllr Callaghan said it’s been “really disappointing” how the Finglas Youth Resource Centre has been left of discussions while businesses and other stakeholders have received more attention . She pointed out that the current plans will take away the centre’s car parking and outdoor space and highlighted the potential major disruption during the construction phase.
Mr Weldon said it's "disappointing to hear” Finglas Youth Resource Centre’s frustrations as they are a “key stakeholder” who they are willing to work with and had previously engaged with. He committed to “ramping up engagement again” and said there had been discussion around changing land boundaries to give some area back to the resource centre.
People Before Profit Cllr Conor Reddy and independent Cllr Gavin Pepper also asked about the potential for Luas Finglas to exploit the project’s opportunity for local employment. With possible apprentices and training programmes, Mr Weldon said TII has been working closely with the North West Employment Training Working Group to ensure this is a major component of their plans.
Luas Finglas will be made as a 4km high-capacity corridor that connects people to jobs, education and opportunity along its route and into the city centre . With over 10,000 new residential units planned, it will serve a growing population and provide a link into the city from Charlestown that’s 17 minutes faster than travelling by car.
The opening year frequency should be 7.5 minutes per Luas and will have 30,000 potential tram users within 1km of a stop. Mr Weldon also highlighted the available connections between Boombridge and the Luas, as well as Dart+ West and BusConnects throughout the alignment.
Tender for the implementation consultant is taking place this year and certain works and procurement will advance throughout 2027 and 2028. Main infrastructure construction begins in 2029. Mr Weldon said the budget for the overall project stands in the region of €600 million.
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