Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015
581. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the regeneration programme for Saint Patrick's Park in Rathangan in County Kildare; the level of expenditure incurred to date on this project; when it is anticipated that the reconstruction programme will be complete, together with the final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/15]
View answerKildare County Council submitted a proposal to my Department in 2008 seeking funding approval for a Remedial Works Scheme at St. Patrick’s Park, Rathangan, County Kildare. Following a detailed examination of the proposal, my Department provisionally approved funding of €6.8 million for the scheme in July 2011 on condition that 10% of the cost would be met by the local authority. The Scheme is being advanced in two phases. Phase 1 of the scheme, which is currently in progress, involves the clearing of vacant and vandalised units, purchasing some privately owned houses, provision of additional green space, de-energising of vacant units, site works including securing the boundary fence line and professional fees for surveys and investigative works. Kildare County Council expects to have phase 1 of the scheme completed by the end of this year.
Phase 2 will involve the new build element of the scheme which is currently at pre-part 8 planning stage. Kildare County Council is in the process of preparing a revised design proposal for the demolition and new build which they hope to submit to my Department in the coming weeks.
Almost €2.1 million has been recouped to Kildare County Council in respect of expenditure incurred on the scheme to date.
