Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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163. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of rebuilding Priory Hall, Donaghmede as against demolishing and building houses in their place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the reply to Question No. 174 of 6 March 2014 which deals with the estimated cost of acquiring certain units and refurbishing the entire complex at Priory Hall. The position is unchanged and it should be noted that the actual costs will ultimately be determined through the application of competitive public procurement procedures in line with standard arrangements.

In accordance with the Priory Hall Resolution Framework, as agreed by the key stakeholders, the course of action now being pursued by Dublin City Council is the refurbishment of the Priory Hall complex, with support from the Government, in a manner that will make the complex a desirable, high quality, safety assured residential location that will accommodate, as with the original development, a combination of private, social and other forms of housing.

Any solution involving demolition and rebuild would necessarily involve significantly greater capital investment than refurbishment along the lines now being pursued. My Department, having participated with officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance in the recent consultations with key stakeholders, is of the view that the Framework Plan represents the best outcome possible to the complex and the unique circumstances that have arisen in relation to Priory Hall.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland (SCSI) publishes annual guidelines on rebuilding costs for the purposes of informing decisions in relation to the provision of insurance cover for dwellings. This may be a helpful reference document for costing alternative solutions such as those outlined in the question in relation to the 187 accommodation units involved at Priory Hall. It should also be borne in mind that a significant number of the accommodation units at Priory Hall are and will continue to be vested in multiple, private owners whose property rights must be respected and cannot be ignored.