Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in relation to the roof and general structural issues at Abbotstown Sports Campus; the moneys spent to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33138/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The National Aquatic Centre, the first facility developed at the Campus at Abbotstown, opened in 2003. During severe weather conditions in the west Dublin area on 1 January 2005, damage was caused to the roof of the National Aquatic Centre. Consulting Structural and Civil Engineers, Kavanagh Mansfield & Partners, were commissioned to examine the damage and oversee the repairs. Repair works at the National Aquatic Centre were completed on 20 May 2005 and the Centre was reopened to the public on that date. Kavanagh Mansfield and Partners have certified that the programme of works was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the design and secured certification from the designer's contractors and subcontractors in relation to the various elements of the works. The repair works cost just over €1 million and were completed at no cost to Campus Stadium Ireland Ltd. (CSID).

During the period 2001 to 2003 a sum of €3m was spent on site development works, site surveys and the preparation of a development plan for the site.

In November 2005 the Government gave its assent to the commencement of phase one of the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown and a capital allocation of €9.5 million has been included in my Department's Vote in respect of costs likely to arise this year.

The estimated overall cost of the Phase 1 development is €119m over a 4 to 5 year period. Planning and preparatory work for this project has commenced and work is already underway on the refurbishment of the State Laboratory as the new headquarters for FAI Ireland.

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the Lansdowne Road redevelopment; the level of funding approved by Government for this project; the level of moneys drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33139/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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In January 2004, the Government agreed to provide funding of €191million, phased over 5 years, to the joint IRFU/FAI project for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium as a 50,000-seat stadium. The estimated total cost of the project is €365m and the IRFU and FAI will provide the balance of €174m.

On 31 July 2006, planning permission for the project was granted by Dublin City Council subject to some conditions. Appeals against the granting of planning permission have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála. It is understood that An Bord Pleanála intends to schedule an oral hearing for dealing with these appeals but no date has as yet been set for this. Subject to the outcome of the planning process, the intention is that construction of the new stadium should commence early in 2007. Expenditure to date on the project amounts to €17.162million in respect of other preliminary outlays.