Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if she plans to proceed with the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2; the position regarding this project; the estimated cost; the way she plans to fund this project; her views on whether this project is necessary in view of the fact that the Grand Canal Theatre is opening in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14012/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to confirm my Department's support for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. The procurement stage of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall is currently progressing. In accordance with the Government Decision, the project is being tendered on a design, build, finance and maintain PPP project basis. Two participating consortia submitted tenders on 25 September 2009 and these tenders are currently being assessed under the PPP Guidelines set out by the Department of Finance. Once these evaluations have been finalised a more definite timeline for the project can be established. As this is a PPP process costs are determined at the time of contract conclusion.

While I welcome the opening of the Grand Canal Theatre, which I believe adds significantly to the cultural infrastructure in our capital, it cannot be considered a replacement or substitute for a National Concert Hall. An evaluation of the economic benefits of the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall was carried out in 2006 and my Department and the Department of Finance were satisfied with the outcome of this evaluation. I have no doubt that the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall will make a very substantial contribution to the arts and will provide considerable benefits to the economy.