Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Without a doubt, the north quays project will provide many opportunities for the city and region. It is a project of major significance. I compliment all involved in getting it this far. Together with the total amount of lifetime URDF grant funding sought, the proposal that came forward this time included four very significant elements of enabling infrastructure which are: relocation of the city’s railway station to the east to form a new public transport interchange, expected to cost approximately €35 million; a new bridge over the River Suir for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport and an associated urban greenway, expected to cost more than €33 million; site access roads and road realignment, expected to cost €26.8 million; and off-site roads in the wider north bank of the Suir area in Kilkenny, which will cost approximately €10.3 million. I am constantly telling people in this room that there is also mention of Kilkenny in this plan. This project will serve the area very well. All of these infrastructural works will open up and make more accessible the north quays site, and will enable the special development zone planning scheme to be realised.

Further discussion with the local authority and other relevant agencies, such as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority, is ongoing to conclude the grant agreement for 2019 in the context of a project lifetime commitment for future years, which has yet to be agreed, subject to necessary public spending code and state aid considerations. I can confirm that for approved category A projects, such as the Waterford north quays, subject to a grant agreement being entered into that will result in ongoing multi-annual contracts starting in 2019, there will be a commitment to the agreed Exchequer share of such contracts for future years. I also wish to confirm at this stage that there is priority commitment to funding in excess of €6 million for infrastructure to enable the mixed-use development of the Waterford north quays project.

Again I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of this project and I reiterate the Government's ongoing commitment to the future development of Waterford as one of Ireland's principal cities and as the regional growth driver for the south east. I cannot be any clearer on that. Today we are discussing one fund under Project Ireland 2040 but there are many other funds and many other ways of accessing money. It is important that the quays project looks at them all. I have no doubt that it will and that it will apply for funding in different areas. I am glad that we are able to kick-start the project with funding through this scheme, but there are many other ways to fund it including bringing private capital and money into the system. It is a great project and the Government is looking forward to working with the local authority on it. We are constantly engaging with Waterford City and County Council on this project.

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