Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 November 2020
49. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will confirm that the strategic assessment report and preliminary business case for the Dalymount Park proposal has been carried out fully in accordance with the public sector spending code and that the preliminary business case has or will be published. [34044/20]
View answer53. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the funding business case for the Dalymount Park project on the sale of Tolka Park; and if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is a reserved function related to public land and subject to a vote by Dublin City councillors. [34043/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 53 together.
The proposed development of Dalymount Park and the compliance of the project with the Public Spending Code and other regulatory requirements is a matter in the first instance for Dublin City Council. The question regarding the publication of the business case presented to councillors is also a matter for Dublin City Council.
In relation to my Department’s involvement with the project, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027. Provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF were announced on 10 January 2020. On 13th January additional provisional allocations of €5m for a further 7 projects under Stream 1 (design) of the LSSIF were announced.
Dublin City Council made an application for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park and the allocations announced in January included a provisional grant under Stream1 of €918,750 towards a portion of the design cost of the stadium.
The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the projects being suggested for funding undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate. This has now been completed for the Dalymount project in respect of the application for the design funding.
As the LSSIF is a new scheme with the first grants only announced earlier this year, it has been necessary to agree an appropriate grant agreement which will protect the State investment and provide clarity in relation to the respective responsibilities to ensure that projects are completed. The finalisation of this grant agreement has involved engagement with the Chief State Solicitors Office who act as my Department's legal advisors in relation to all sports capital grants. Work in this regard was recently finalised in respect of the Dalymount project and my Department has now requested Dublin City Council to forward details of its solicitor so that legal formalities can be completed.
The possible sale of Tolka Park is a matter for the owners of the site. In that regard it should be noted that a deed of charge on the property is already in place which would require the owner to seek the approval of my Department before any sale is made.
In relation to the LSSIF generally, the priority in the short term is on advancing the projects allocated funding in January. While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, it is planned to review progress on existing grants in 2021 when the question of whether or not it would be appropriate to seek new applications will be considered.
