Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the projects contained in the new national development plan that will be procured and commenced in 2007 in his Department; when they will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5790/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the large scale infrastructure projects which will be completed during the lifetime of the new national development plan within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5801/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together.

General details on the funding available from my Department, and the bodies operating under its aegis, under the new National Development Plan (2007-2013) are set out in a number of press releases issued on the announcement of the new NDP. These can be accessed on my Department's website www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie. As can be seen from the press releases there are a number of major infrastructural projects which will be funded under the new NDP in the areas of Arts, Culture, Sports and Tourism. These include a new National Concert Hall on the Earlsfort Terrace site, the new Abbey Theatre, redevelopment of the Wexford Theatre Royal, major projects at the National Museum and National Library, the development of a state-of-the-art Sports Campus at Abbotstown, the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium and the National Conference Centre. As the Deputy will appreciate the major projects being funded under the NDP are at different stages of development. Some are already being progressed including the new Abbey Theatre, the Lansdowne Road Stadium and the National Conference Centre and will be further developed during 2007. In the case of other projects that still have to be commenced, the objective is that at least the initial preparatory work will be advanced in 2007. It is intended that all the major projects being funded under the NDP for which my Department has responsibility will be completed within the lifetime of the Plan but it is too early at this stage to be definitive about completion dates.