John Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, to the House and I wish him the very best in his role. On 9 July, I spoke on the Order of Business on the eve of a decision being made by Waterford City and County Council regarding planning permission for a transformative 125,000 sq. m mixed-use development on the north quays in Waterford city. The Minister of State is well aware of this project because I have spoken to him about it and explained it on several occasions. It is, however, worthwhile outlining the significance of this development for Waterford and the south-east region.

I firmly believe this project will act as a catalyst for a decade of accelerated growth, in line with the projections outlined in Project Ireland 2040. That is why I have promoted this project and worked hard to ensure its delivery since I was Mayor of Waterford in 2016, when the site was first designated as a strategic development zone, SDZ. Some people dispute that a rising tide lifts all boats, but I could not disagree more in this instance. This is not just about this particular development, but about the wider follow-on development in housing and many other areas, which is already at an advanced stage of discussion. The project aims to deliver significant retail, hotel and conference facilities, prime city centre offices and 300 apartments and it will be a game changer for Waterford and the entire region. The previous Fine Gael Government recognised the potential of the project, including its potential to create significant number of jobs in the area, and that is why this project was prioritised in Project Ireland 2040. It was listed in the national development plan and funding of €20 million has been allocated to it by the National Transport Authority, NTA, and urban regeneration and development fund, URDF.

Despite these developments, significant uncertainty has remained about this project. The uncertainty exists because Waterford City and County Council requires funding of €110 million over four years to facilitate the construction of enabling infrastructure for this prime brownfield site. This involves a public transportation bridge over the River Suir to link the north quays SDZ with the city centre, the relocation of Plunkett Station to the centre of the site to create a modern public transportation interchange and the upgrading of road infrastructure in and around the site. These works are of critical importance for this exciting project.

Such investment will unlock €400 million in private sector investment and create more than 2,900 jobs in an area with a stubbornly high unemployment rate. I believe this project is the litmus test for the national planning framework and the commitments contained in the programme for Government for balanced regional development. Significant Government investment in Waterford and the south-east region is overdue. I stress that time is of the essence for this project. A decision is urgently needed to enable Waterford City and County Council to progress the tender for the bridge, roads and transportation hub and to enable the finalisation of contracts with the developer.

Many have doubted the Government's commitment to this project in recent years. I am proud to say I am not one of them. However, the time has passed for talking and uttering positive reassuring words about this project. It is now time for tangible action and that requires that a memorandum go to the Cabinet seeking approval for the funding I outlined. I hope the Minister of State will have a positive update for me. I would also like him to give me an indication of when further funding is due to be announced under the URDF. Councils across the country are eagerly awaiting that news, including my local authority in Waterford which has a significant project proposal for the wider Viking triangle and cultural quarter areas. I am sure that comprehensive proposal has scored well in the Department. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House and I look forward to his response.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the opportunity to discuss the North Quays project in Waterford, and particularly Waterford City and County Council's bid for the North Quays under the urban regeneration project. As the Senator outlined in detail, this is a significant project for the region. The urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding is designed to unlock the potential of our five cities and large towns. This project is key to doing that for Waterford and the region.

The Senator correctly pointed to the cumulative work carried out over the past six years by the previous Government. Indeed, the former Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, designated the area as a strategic development zone in an order made by the Government under SI 30 of 2016. That showed the commitment the then Government had to realising its potential under the URDF. Indeed, it made it a core central plank of the national planning framework in terms of our objective to have compact development. I understand the Senator was the mayor at the time an event was held in Waterford to try to progress this project. Since my appointment to the Department, the Senator has been quick to contact me about it and put forward the genuine case for it.

It is important that the Government backs this project. As regards the history, €6 million of URDF funding was allocated in November 2018 and a further €30 million of URDF funding was allocated in June 2019 to assist this project through the stages. I know from talking to the Senator and the former Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, how important this is for the region and the value that the city, the business community and the residents put on it. One must remember that this site has been derelict for decades and it has been a hindrance to unlocking the potential in the city. I believe this project will achieve this. It is important for our five cities and large towns, and, indeed, villages that they get regeneration funding to assist them.

On 26 November 2018, the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government announced URDF funding of €100 million for a total of 88 projects across the country. I referred to the two allocations that were made from the URDF for the North Quays project. In mentioning this project, I am mindful of places such as the Docklands in Dublin, which had a special designation and, in the context of an all-Ireland approach, what the Belfast quarters did for regeneration in that area of Northern Ireland. This can be key for Waterford city. I appreciate the Senator's concern to try to progress this project. He has my office inundated with queries about it. I also note that a media notice has been circulated for next Tuesday afternoon regarding a visit to Waterford. I hope that proves successful for the Senator and his hard work in the area.

John Cummins (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response, for recognising the importance of this project to Waterford and the south east and for acknowledging the work of our former colleague, Paudie Coffey, designating the site as a strategic development zone. The work of many people over the past number of years has brought this project to where it is now. I wish to record my thanks to each and every one of them for not giving in or saying that the project was going to fail, as many people have suggested. I again stress the importance and urgency of funding to Waterford City and County Council for the enabling infrastructure for the site. We have heard positive, reassuring words, and the €30 million the Minister of State mentioned was ring-fenced by the NTA for the project, rather than the URDF. However, there is a commitment in the Department to make this happen for Waterford and the south east. I urge the Minister of State to convey to the Department the urgency of finalising the funding arrangements for the project.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I appreciate the urgency attached to it, which I mentioned. Urban regeneration reaches into other Departments because the core of regeneration is trying to get our five cities and large towns to unlock their potential.That is a key part of the national planning framework. I am working on this issue in the Department to ensure it is realised and delivered in communities.

The work of Senator Cummins when he was Mayor of Waterford, with the former Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, to designate this area of the city as a special development zone was key to unlocking its potential. This would not be possible were it not for the initiative at that time. It is great to see that we have a very firm commitment from the local authority. Its chief executive, Michael Walsh, is doing great work as well. I have been in contact with him in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for local government. He played a key role in the County and City Management Association, CCMA, in recent months.

I look forward to the project coming to fruition. I thank Senator Cummins for his excellent work and representation on the matter. It is very important that the Government progress such projects because they are so important. I cannot underline that enough. If we want to allow cities to unlock and reach their potential, the URDF will be central in doing that. I again thank the Senator for raising this matter in the Commencement debate.