Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her question which, as she pointed out, I am taking on behalf the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Members will be aware of the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, which is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040. It was established to support more compact and sustainable development through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns in line with the objectives of the national planning framework and the national development plan. This will facilitate a greater proportion of residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and towns and will ensure that most parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest in and visit. To date, there have been three calls for proposals under the URDF, with more than €1.8 billion provisionally allocated. Calls 1 and 2 are supporting 132 proposals, comprising more than 400 individual projects, while call 3 is supporting the tackling of long-term vacant and derelict properties through a €150 million revolving fund. Under call 1 of the URDF, Dublin City Council received approval for six projects with a funding commitment of €18 million. Under call 2, funding of €174 million was provisionally allocated for the council's two successful proposals, namely, the north inner city concept area 1, to which €121 million is allocated, and the south inner city concept area 1, to which €53 million is allocated. The total funding approved, therefore, under the URDF programme to date in Dublin city comes to €192 million.

Under the third round of funding support, Dublin City Council put forward proposals for essential preservation works to the Iveagh Markets, with an estimated cost of €12 million. Following a detailed review of the proposal, the Department determined that it was in keeping with the aims and objectives of the URDF programme. Consequently, Dublin City Council was approved for a €9.017 million grant for the Iveagh Markets project from the fund.

As the Senator said, the Iveagh Markets building is one of an impressive collection of buildings and places donated to the citizens of Dublin by the Guinness family. However, it is in poor condition due to a combination of neglect and damaging interventions. Parts of the building are now unsafe. The current priority is to prevent further deterioration of this protected structure. Following completion of essential stabilisation and repair work, this significant part of the city's architectural heritage will be secured, allowing Dublin City Council to develop long-term sustainable proposals for its reuse in the future.

The essential stabilisation and repair works required in order to safeguard the structure for future use are estimated to cost €12 million. They consist of the following measures: the backfilling of the site, which was subjected to significant ground removal works in the past, in accordance with archaeological licence conditions; conservation repairs to the roofs, valleys, internal gutters, parapet and large roof lights of the wet market and dry market, including conservation repairs to the access ladders and gantries; conservation repairs or reinstatement of the rainwater disposal system; essential repairs to stabilise the inward leaning parapet of the north-east corner of the markets; essential repairs to stabilise the Diocletian-style arched windows and associated brickwork in the dry market; managing vegetation growth on the site and its structures to ensure it does not further compromise the buildings; protecting and securing the windows and doors; providing safe access to the structure to facilitate a regular inspection and maintenance programme; and identifying and making safe any electrical connections and other utilities in the building.

Dublin City Council has appointed a full design team to manage the project. The works will be carried out in two stages. Stage 1 involves a minor contract for immediate stabilisation works, which will commence in March of the year and finish by early summer. The estimated cost is €200,000. Stage 2 involves comprehensive repair works. They are expected to go to tender and commence onsite by late 2024 and to take up to 18 months to complete.