Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2019
148. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, CIÉ, Irish Rail and Bus Éireann regarding the new transport hub proposed by Waterford City and County Council under the urban regeneration and development fund. [38964/19]
View answerI am aware the Waterford North Quays SDZ was approved in 2018 and that Project Ireland 2040 recognises that redevelopment of the North Quays is a key growth enabler for this important city.
The Waterford North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) seeks to support the sustainable growth of the city and build a city of scale in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 which envisages the city's population expanding to approximately 85,000 by 2040. The approved SDZ comprises different elements and is designed to fully harness the city's riverfront potential as a focus for the development of a new urban area.
In order to support National Strategic Objective 1: Compact Growth, Government established an Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which is designed to support the co-development of Project Ireland 2040's recognised key growth enablers for the cities.
I am of course aware that Waterford City and County Council has made an application to the Fund in relation to the proposed North Quays SDZ proposal; however, to date I have not had any substantive engagement with the parties referred to by the Deputy regarding that application.
Administration of the Fund and applications made to it are matters for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
