Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I share the concern of Deputies Ellis and Shortall, not only in respect of Young Ballymun but also with regard to the Preparing for Life programme and the childhood development initiative in Tallaght.

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My Adjournment matter relates to the event centre proposed and planned for Cork. It is a crucial project for Cork city. The lack of such a facility during the years has led to any number of events, incuding corporate events, party political Ard-Fheiseanna and concerts, being lost to Cork, with the potential economic benefits. It is welcome that the previous Government committed to funding the project. It was, by and large, an exception to the lack of investment in Cork in recent years. The M20 project was not delivered, which was a scandalous decision and the most notable example.

It is believed the centre would be able to facilitate approximately 200 performances a year and mean about €50 million for the local economy and 500,000 visitors to Cork city per annum. It is an enormous project of significant value which is very important to commerce and the leisure industry in the city. Not only that, there would also be food and retail aspects, as well as apartments. It has the potential to revitalise substantial parts of Cork city, from Barrack Street to North Main Street and South Main Street, right into the marsh, to which parts of the city it would make a major difference. There would also be by-products such as employment creation.

I am aware of the Government's commitment of €10 million, as well as the €6 million committed by Cork City Council, both of which added €2 million subsequently, which means that the level of public funding for the project stands at about €20 million. The project was given the green light in December 2014. It is now four months since the Taoiseach turned the sod and it is becoming increasingly clear that it was just a farce and a stunt in the context of an election. There has been absolutely no progress since. The people of Cork are beginning to wonder about the current status of the project and what will happen next. As yet, there has been no construction. We are all aware that it will be a lengthy project which will probably require 26 months to complete and the only sod that has been turned on the site is the one that was turned by the Taoiseach. There is some confusion in Cork about the project. I do not want to say there is significant concern because there is no intention to create panic. My understanding is the Government commitment still stands. I hope the Minister of State will affirm this in the strongest possible terms and that the Government will not only follow through on it with funding but will also be actively involved in the process of ensuring the project is delivered and progressed.

Heineken BAM is one of the largest partners involved in the project, but we have received no update from it since March. I understand the design has not yet been completed, nor have the contracts, never mind the construction phase. There needs to be a clear commitment to drive the project which is both significant and expensive, involving a cost of some €53 million. Aside from the €20 million in public funding, €33 million is required from the various partners involved in it. A significant job of work needs to be done and it is vitally important that we have a better understanding of how the project is progressing, in terms of financing, design, planning, contracts and, most importantly, construction. Things have dragged on for far too long. As I said, in the four months since the Taoiseach turned the sod we have seen no progress. The people of Cork are becoming frustrated and concerned.

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