A firmer cost range for the Dublin MetroLink project will “only be known after the market bids are received, next year,” the Government has confirmed.
In response to a parliamentary question from Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín this week, the Transport Minister stated that the procurement process for the railway project is still “ongoing.”
Tóibín had asked if a maximum budget ceiling had been established for MetroLink contracts, and what mechanisms would be used to prevent costs from exceeding approved budgets.
The Minister outlined the recent progress in advancing the major infrastructure project.
“MetroLink is Ireland’s largest public transport infrastructure project and a key National Development Plan priority, delivering long-term benefits for economic growth, housing competitiveness and climate action,” the Minister said.
“Over the last year, significant progress has been made in moving MetroLink from planning and design and into procurement and construction.”
The Minister explained that An Coimisiún Pleanála had published its decision to grant the MetroLink Railway Order in October 2025.
“Following the resolution of a subsequent legal challenge, MetroLink secured an Operative Railway Order in January 2026,” the Minister continued.
“This enabled Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to commence the shortlisting process for major MetroLink contracts.”
Details regarding the heavy civil works contracts were also provided.
“In February, TII published the contract notice and Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ) for the two heavy civil works contracts, M401 and M402,” the Minister noted.
“The maximum combined contract value stated in the contract notice for these PQQs is €7.9 billion, excluding VAT.”
The Detailed Business Case for the project provides an updated delivery cost range, with a central estimate of €15.75 billion.
“Government consented to Approval Gate (AG) 2 for the MetroLink Detailed Business Case (DBC) on 16th September 2026,” the Minister stated.
“The DBC provides an updated estimated delivery cost range for MetroLink from €14.44 billion (P30) at a lower-end to €17.49 billion (P80) at an upper-end, with a central estimate of €15.75 billion (P50).”
The Government has acknowledged that the final price tag has yet to be fully determined.
“As noted, the procurement process for MetroLink is ongoing, and a firmer cost range for MetroLink will only be known after the market bids are received, next year,” the Minister said.
The minimum cost of delivering a metro for Dublin has more than doubled in four years.
When the State applied for planning permission in 2022, the predicted price tag was around €9.5 billion.
The Government approved the revised cost of MetroLink, allowing the project to fully go to tender.
The project was first announced more than 25 years ago, and works are expected to begin next year.
Speaking on the issue of large infrastructure projects in 2024, former Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, who has since left politics, said the State was actively evaluating projects differently due to the lessons learned from the National Children’s Hospital.