Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
336. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason an additional €16 million for the Cork Event Centre was pledged under Budget 2024; what documentation was received by his Department to come to that decision; if he will publish that documentation; if he will detail all public monies currently pledged to the project following the decision in the Budget, in tabular form. [45232/23]
View answerThe Cork Events Centre was included as a commitment under Project Ireland 2040. This underlines the Government’s objectives for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.
It was agreed by Government in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility for making the grant funding available for the project would transfer to my Department. However, responsibility for the advancement of the project remains, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council.
Cork City Council have advised my Department that the full detailed design of the Events Centre has been completed and that they are currently undertaking a full verification process and detailed cost analysis on the final project costings.
The €16m budgeted for the Cork Events Centre in 2024 is not additional funding for the project. It is the estimated funding requirement which will be necessary to meet financial commitments expected to arise during 2024 as the project progresses.
