Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2009
321 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if an economic needs assessment has been carried out with regard to the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall; the estimated cost of this project including the cost of any land purchases to date; his views on the fact that the development will add to the arts here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40402/09]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 121 of 21 October last. The procurement phase of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is progressing. In accordance with the Government decision, it is a design, build, finance and maintain PPP project. Two participating consortia submitted tenders on 25 September 2009 for the project. These tenders are being evaluated at present. This stage of the process should be competed around the end of this year. As this is a PPP process, costs are determined at the time of contract conclusion. The Commissioners for Public Works acquired the site at Earlsfort Terrace from University College Dublin on behalf of the State in October 2006 for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. The purchase price was €41.8 million. An evaluation of the economic benefits of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall was carried out in 2006 and the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Finance were satisfied with the outcome of this evaluation. I have no doubt that the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall will make a very substantial contribution to the arts and provide considerable benefits to the economy.
