Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
693. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount that will be allocated to County Waterford by the national urban regeneration fund for the purposes of the development of the north quays in each of the years 2019 to 2020 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/18]
View answer694. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason Waterford city received only €6 million of the €13 million needed in 2018 to initiate the redevelopment of the north quays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/18]
View answer695. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the breakdown of the moneys to be allocated to Waterford city for the development of the north quays; the source of the funding; the timeframe for its allocation; the amount that will be provided over the lifetime of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50251/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 to 695, inclusive, together.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September. A total of 189 applications were submitted to my Department and on 26 November I announced the successful applicants for funding, details of which are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urdf_-_2019_funding_allocations_0.pdf .
The URDF is a competitive, bid-based exchequer grant programme, with €2 billion in National Development Plan (NDP) funding available to 2027. My Department has allocated €6 million, from a total allocation of €100 million for 2019, for Waterford City & County Council's North Quays proposal. This is the single largest award under the URDF for 2019.
This URDF grant for Waterford, as with all other successful bid proposals, has been approved in principle subject to agreement of subsequent technical details with my Department and may be regarded as an initial investment of support for a significant city centre urban renewal project. As a successful Category ‘A’ project, the award also signals a commitment to further investment in the project in future years subject to the normal requirements in relation to the public spending code and value for money considerations.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that the continuation of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund into 2020 will facilitate a greater focus on integrated urban projects as such proposals require sufficient time for design, planning, procurement and construction to be advanced properly.
Finally, my Department intends to further engage with Waterford City and County Council in order to discuss the progression of the proposal in 2019 and onwards and to agree on the terms of the funding allocation which, once agreed, will be drawn down from throughout 2019.
