Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the relocation of the Abbey Theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26672/06]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the examination of the possible PPP procurement models for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock has been completed; if a report has been sent to Government on the preferred option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26678/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the timetable for the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre on a site in the Dublin docklands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26937/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 19 and 21 together.

In July 2005, the Government authorised investigative surveys to be carried out at the George's Dock site to inform further decisions on the development of the theatre there. At my request, the Office of Public Works arranged detailed examination of the site, including archaeological, geotechnical and structural surveys. On the basis of the favourable conclusions emerging from these studies the Government in December 2005 approved the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock and agreed that my Department, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, the OPW and the National Development Finance Agency, would examine possible procurement models, including PPP options. KPMG was commissioned to carry out a cost effectiveness study of the proposed relocation of the national theatre under various procurement options. The conclusions of the KPMG study are being evaluated by my Department in consultation with the other agencies to which I have referred and I expect to report back to Government on the issues in the very near future. I am not yet in a position to specify commencement and completion dates.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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What procurement model will be adopted? It is decision time regarding the proposed new national theatre because the existing theatre is outdated and the facilities are very poor. The saga surrounding the provision of a new building must reach a conclusion sooner rather than later. We profess and boast about being a modern country and, therefore, a building that represents the progress we have made, as the Minister has often said, is needed. Further delays cannot be tolerated regarding the procurement model that should be used and a decision should be made. A site has been secured and while a number of people have issues with it, it is generally agreed this is the best location, particularly since the Carlton Cinema site and other sites were not available. A timescale should be set down. What procurement model might be used? What are the expected commencement and completion dates? The Minister stated previously the project would cost €180 million. Is that estimate still valid? Was construction inflation factored into the estimate?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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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.