Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Sports Centre.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

579 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Education if she will consider siting the proposed new National Sports Centre at Tallaght, Dublin 24 having regard to the fact that there is an extremely large, young, active and sports-minded population in Tallaght and in the Dublin south west region generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Tony Gregory

Question:

590 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the time-scale for the construction of the National Sports Centre at North Wall Quay, Dublin 1.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 590 together.

A site for the National Sports Centre has been identified in the Custom House Docks area.

The Custom House Docks Development Authority, who are my Department's development agent for the project have either acquired or agreed terms for approximately 90 per cent of the site for the National Sports Centre and negotiations are on-going for the acquisition of the remainder of the site.

The detailed brief on which proposals will be invited from shortlisted consortia on a design, construct, finance and manage basis is virtually completed by the Custom House Docks Development Authority in consultation with my Department.

The decision on the site for the National Sports Centre was taken following consideration of all possible alternatives.

Plans are well advanced for the provision of a national basketball arena for the Irish Basketball Association on a site in Tallaght, construction on which is expected to commence early next year. It is expected that this centre when completed will, in addition to catering for basketball requirements, help to cater for the requirements of the local sporting and leisure groups.