John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the news announced on Monday regarding my county of Waterford and the signing of the public infrastructure contract for the North Quays project. This is a game-changing development for the heart of Waterford city. This contract includes the provision of a new bridge from the Clock Tower to the North Quays area, new road interchanges onto the site and a new transportation hub that will facilitate the relocation of the train station to the centre of the North Quays. Waterford City and County Council is also in advanced dialogue with Harcourt Developments on the private sector element of the site.

The €170.6 million that the Government allocated some weeks ago has enabled this contract to be signed. Many people in recent years said the Government would not provide the funding required to facilitate this development. I consistently said throughout this time that the Government would do this and we have. We are now going to see boots on the ground on this site in the new year, which is an enormous development for Waterford city, the county and the entire south-east region.

I also support my colleague in respect of the community centres investment fund, CCIF. I hope we will see news soon regarding the category 2 and 3 elements of this initiative. The level of funding being provided through the Department of Rural and Community Development is unprecedented. This funding for community centres is greatly important and I would like to see this fund expanded next year. I appreciate that a funding envelope was available for this year, but we all see the value in our communities of this fund and I would like to see it expanded in the new year.