Vol. 424 No. 8
8 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction among existing residents and businesses in the Temple Bar area of Dublin 1 about the degree of consultation that takes place with the two semi-State companies in charge of development in the area.
9 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has for the removal of existing businesses from the Temple Bar area of Dublin 1.
10 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will give a progress report on the development of the Temple Bar area of Dublin 1.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9 and 10 together.
The development of Temple Bar as a cultural, residential and small business quarter is being undertaken on behalf of the Government by Temple Bar Properties Limited, the development implementation company, and Temple Bar Renewal Limited, the company that decides on the projects that qualify for financial incentives.
Temple Bar Properties are now implementing a £100 million redevelopment programme. This £100 million of construction expenditure will create 5,000 much needed and welcome additional jobs in construction work over the next five years. In the completed cultural quarter some 2,000 people will be employed in a wide variety of cultural and related jobs.
The Irish Film Centre is the first major public project to be opened in the area. The widespread approval for it augurs well for the necessary sensitive development approach.
The private sector is also playing a strong part in the area and a number of important music venues, hotel and residential projects are now open or in construction.
Temple Bar Properties Limited are implementing the development programme in a series of functional areas including cultural, tourism, marketing, property and redeveloped environment. I have a detailed statement under these headings and I am arranging for it to be circulated in the Official Report.
Temple Bar Properties Limited have initiated a wide system of communication with the local community which are detailed in the statement I am circulating. In addition they have ongoing constructive contact with the Dublin City Centre Business Association in relation to development in Temple Bar. Temple Bar Renewal Limited have arranged consultation procedures and Temple Bar Development Council are represented on the company. I understand any concerns which may have existed are being resolved amicably and constructively.
Temple Bar Renewal Limited are carrying out their remit effectively in approving projects for the relevant financial incentives. Statements of projects approved are laid before the Oireachtas at the end of each quarter. I am arranging for the statements to 31 October 1992 to be circulated in the Official Report.
Both Temple Bar Properties Limited and Temple Bar Renewal Limited are implementing the development programme in accordance with the provisions of the Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act, 1991, which set down the activities eligible and not eligible for financial incentives.
I believe the development of Temple Bar represents an important and highly successful project, providing much needed jobs, based on partnership between local community, local government and central Government. It is successful, despite a difficult property market. It shows the value of a comprehensive approach to development integrating as it does the architectural, property, marketing and financial dimensions. It is an approach which I believe can be replicated in other areas.
I would like to pay tribute to those responsible for the project, in particular to the boards and staff of Temple Bar Properties Limited and Temple Bar Renewal Limited, to the staff of Dublin Corporation planning department, the planning authority for the various projects in the area and to the European Commission and European Investment Bank that have been strongly supportive of the project.
The following is the statment:
Temple Bar Properties Ltd.
The development is proceeding as follows: Twenty-two applications were submitted for planning permission in July 1992. A further series of applications will be submitted by the year end. The remaining schemes will be submitted for planning approval in June 1993. These applications represent the refurbishment/building of properties for cultural, residential and small business use.
The present position is as follows:
(a) Cultural tourism
—Ten cultural tourism schemes have been submitted for European Regional Development Fund funding and have received a very positive reaction. Seven of the schemes were presented for planning permission at the end of July 1992, the other three schemes are at the stage of finalising the location and brief with the relevant owners and architects;
—A full strategic and financial development plan is prepared for each project to ensure viability.
—Independent Cultural Entrepreneurs in Temple Bar will be launched this week.
(b) Financial
—The company's management accounts for audit are now with the Comptroller and Auditor General;
—Detailed cash-flow projections have been undertaken to the year 1999, on a property or project by project basis.
(c) Property
—In addition to the CIE portfolio of property, Temple Bar Properties has also purchased key properties necessitated by the Architectural Framework Plan;
—The first tranche of Dublin Corporation property is being conveyed at present. The second, west of Parliament Street, is in negotiation at present;
—A comprehensive exercise has been undertaken involving the detailing of all possible housing to be created in Temple Bar Properties Ltd. properties.
—The property programme of activity is designed so that much of the development work takes place between 1992 and 1994. Three schemes are at present on site, 22 planning applications were submitted by 31 July, further schemes will be submitted before end-year and the remaining schemes by June 1993.
(d) Marketing
—The marketing of the area within the community;
—TBP publish an information sheet/poster about the area every two months;
—A Guidebook to Temple Bar has been published. A history of Temple Bar will be published this month.
—The company continues to initiate a series of events in the area.
(e) Built Environment
Phase I of the EC Pilot Project is almost complete:
—Streets Phase I of the Street Improvement is complete;
—Irish Film Centre, The IFC, opened on 25 September 1992;
—Marketing and Research Complete. Reports on Music, Film, Sculpture and Children's Centres available.
—East West links and squares now in for planning permission.
Temple Bar Properties Ltd. have initiated the following means of communications with the local community:
—the Temple Bar Information Centre at East Essex Street is an information source for the plans for the area, and is a base for the Temple Bar Development Council who deal with local problems and issues. The Temple Bar Development Council is the local community group representing people in the area;
—a liasion officer is based at the information centre to deal with queries or complaints about the development;
—a forum involving Temple Bar Properties and the Temple Bar Development Council meets every two weeks to discuss practical issues, such as cleansing, security, traffic etc., that arise from the development.
—a monthly meeting is held directly with the council also to update on the development and discuss issues as they arise. The Temple Bar Development Council also has four seats on the Board of Temple Bar Renewal Ltd.
I welcome the statement that consultation has been taking place in relation to some difficulties which had arisen. I should be grateful if the Taoiseach would ensure that the disruption and inconvenience to existing businesses is minimised. Losses have been incurred. In the context of circulating the promised information, the Taoiseach might circulate information regarding the basis on which 5,000 jobs——
Over five years——
——are calculated.
I will be happy to respond to the Deputy's requirements and requests in this matter.
Are they part-time or full-time jobs?
Would the Taoiseach care to comment on the fact that there has been considerable criticism of the Temple Bar scheme in that sufficient affordable housing is not being provided in the area? We need houses as well as businesses.
Part of the project is to make it a living area of the city. I attended the opening of the Film Centre and not one person among the very large turnout mentioned that criticism. People know that provision is being made for residential units and that many students are to live there. It is a well balanced project and I have not heard the criticism voiced by Deputy Garland. We will certainly have a look at it. People will be living in the area. That is important.
