Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the necessary finance to commence work on the development of the National Concert Hall will be included in the 2007 estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21078/06]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has commenced the evaluation of the economic benefits of the proposed redevelopment of the new National Concert Hall; the length of time this evaluation process will take; when he expects a final decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 42 together.

I have requested my Department to ensure that the Government's requirement for the completion of an evaluation of the economic benefits of the proposed redevelopment of the National Concert Hall at Earlsfort Terrace is met at the earliest opportunity. To this end, my Department has arranged and completed a tender process and selected DKM Economic Consultants to carry out this work. The evaluation will be completed within the next four weeks.

Provision has been made in the 2006 Estimates for the purchase of the Earlsfort Terrace site from UCD. The redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is to be pursued as a PPP type project and appropriate provision will be made in that regard.