Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2024
67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress update on the plans to redevelop the Abbey Theatre, Ireland's national theatre. [4496/24]
View answerIn 2018, 'Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage' was published as part of Project Ireland 2040 and included plans for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre. The development of this Cultural Institution is recognised in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 as one of national importance in order to preserve, celebrate and grow the Abbey's position at the forefront of Irish arts.
A Preliminary Business Case has been prepared by the Abbey Theatre, presenting a range of development options. Under the Public Spending Code, major projects that must undergo an External Assurance Process before being submitted to Government for approval to advance. This is for the purposes of improving value for money and support funding departments and Government with expert, independent insights relating to project risks, delivery, feasibility, robustness of costings, governance and procurement. PWC has been engaged by the Department to complete the EAP and this is currently underway.
After the EAP the next step is the design phase of the project.
