John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

KPMG has been commissioned to carry out a cost effectiveness analysis of the proposed relocation of the national theatre, the key objective of which was to establish the most effective way to achieve the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock. In February, KPMG provided an outline of its report, which we made available to the NDFA and the OPW. The outline, inter alia, examines a number of procurement solutions, including a DBFM-PPP structure and traditional procurement assessed against the key procurement objectives of cost effectiveness, value for money, time and design requirements and operational control.

I cannot outline a timeframe but consultations on the issue are continuing with a view to the circulation of a memorandum to the Government seeking approval to bring the project to procurement stage at the earliest date.

With regard to the capital cost of redeveloping the theatre based on its current accommodation brief, which is 12,500 sq. m., the estimate is between €150 million and €155 million, using a conventional model, exclusive of car parking. It is proposed to proceed on the basis that the new theatre will not provide car parking facilities, given that adequate car parks exist within the vicinity of George's Dock.

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