Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

A private developer would have to produce its final design and prepare tender documents while a planning application is in process. I cannot see why the same process could not be followed in relation to St. Michael's. I am disappointed that we are still talking about the third quarter of 2022 for the planning application to go in. We do not know how long it will take for the planning application to be approved or not. I urge the Minister to push the council as much as possible to get its act together. Not only is a full-time Dublin City Council project manager working on it, but one of the top and longest-established design teams in the country is working on it. It should be delivered much more quickly. I am delighted to hear about the €100,000 but costs are going up all the time. If we are talking about 2024 or 2025 before this project is under construction, more money may be needed for it. It is also important that the term of the loan is extended from 25 years to 40 years.

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