The initial application to my Department from Drogheda Borough Council for assistance towards the provision of a civic amenity centre in Drogheda could not be supported due to issues associated with the proposed procurement process. Following contact with my Department, the draft brief for the centre was modified significantly, and received approval from the Department on 15 April 2004. Consulting engineers have been appointed to the project, and the tender process should commence in the coming months.
Construction is expected to commence in early 2005 and to take not more than six months.
While the construction of the centre should be of significant benefit to the people of Drogheda and the surrounding region, I stress that recycling facilities are currently available in the town. A privatised kerbside collection is in operation, and there are ten extensively-used bring sites. Completion of the new centre will enable the people of Drogheda and its environs to improve their rates of recycling and recovery still further.