Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 47 and 237 together.

The Government’s infrastructure and capital investment framework 2012-16, published in November 2011, includes a commitment to support for a Diaspora centre or museum, should a suitable project and partner be available. Accordingly, I asked Fáilte Ireland to carry out a scoping study of the development of such a centre and the most suitable means by which it could be financed, developed and managed. I received the outcome of the scoping study earlier this year.  Following consideration of the appropriate next steps, I have decided that expressions of interest should be sought to establish if there is a suitable project and partner available to develop a Diaspora centre. 

My Department and Fáilte Ireland will be making the necessary arrangements for a call for expressions of interest along these lines in the near future. Aside from detailing their proposals, applicants will be asked to present a funding model to build and operate and to indicate the level of State support they would need.  In this context, I am aware of a number of prospective projects across the country for which proposals are at various stages of development.  A number of interested parties, including Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and the Limerick Diaspora group, were consulted as part of the scoping study.  It will, of course, be a matter for those advancing the proposals to consider whether and on what basis they might respond to the forthcoming request for expressions of interest.  

On the question of the timeframe envisaged, I do not have it exactly tied down, but the Deputy's estimation is in the right ball park.

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