Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to release further funding in 2016 or 2017 in order that phase 2 of the national indoor arena can commence and be progressed; the outcome of his review of the cost benefit analysis submitted by Sport Ireland on the project; his views on a sports organisation's (details supplied) postponement of its plans to continue in the project until certainty on the project is established, in view of the lack of funding that has been allocated for the project in the 2016 capital envelope; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32674/16]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Capital funding for 2016 has already been fully allocated and accordingly, there is no funding available to commence new projects this year.  The recent Estimates process for 2017 did not result in funding being allocated to various worthwhile capital projects including phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena.  However, I believe that Phase 2 is a very important project which deserves the Government's support and the question of funding will be considered again in the context of the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan as announced in the Budget.

My Department has reviewed the Cost Benefit Analysis submitted by Sport Ireland for phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena and has found that further work would be required on the Cost Benefit Analysis to ensure compliance with the Public Spending Code. I will shortly be reverting to Sport Ireland with detailed comments.

The Partnership Agreement in place between Sport Ireland and the organisation mentioned by the Deputy relates to the development of outdoor pitches for that sport, and is a matter for Sport Ireland and the organisation concerned. I understand from Sport Ireland that the organisation in question has indicated that it will not commence construction on the development of the outdoor pitches until there is clarity on the construction of Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena.  While it is disappointing that the organisation is considering postponing the development under the Partnership Agreement with Sport Ireland, it is not possible for me to consider approving the Phase 2 project in the absence of capital funding and a Cost Benefit Analysis for the project.