Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount the bid for the Rugby World Cup has cost to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49672/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The  Department contributed €1.22m over three years to support the bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023.  The funds were paid through Fáilte Ireland.  The contributions in respect of each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 are set out as follows:

€200,000 - 2015

€600,000 - 2016 

€420,000 - 2017

In addition, on behalf of the State, NewERA appointed external legal advisers to advise on a number of aspects of the bid for Rugby World Cup 2023, including the Government guarantees provided to World Rugby as stipulated as part of the bidding process.  The legal fees payable have not been finalised but are expected to be in the order of €300,000 plus VAT.

In regard to the other parties, I am informed by the IRFU that they spent approximately €1.75m and the Northern Ireland Executive spent approximately €0.25m, to support the bid.