John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, CIÉ, Irish Rail and Bus Éireann regarding the new transport hub proposed by Waterford City and County Council under the urban regeneration and development fund. [38964/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I am aware the Waterford North Quays SDZ was approved in 2018 and that Project Ireland 2040 recognises that redevelopment of the North Quays is a key growth enabler for this important city.

The Waterford North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) seeks to support the sustainable growth of the city and build a city of scale in line with the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 which envisages the city's population expanding to approximately 85,000 by 2040. The approved SDZ comprises different elements and is designed to fully harness the city's riverfront potential as a focus for the development of a new urban area.

In order to support National Strategic Objective 1: Compact Growth, Government established an Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which is designed to support the co-development of Project Ireland 2040's recognised key growth enablers for the cities.

I am of course aware that Waterford City and County Council has made an application to the Fund in relation to the proposed North Quays SDZ proposal; however, to date I have not had any substantive engagement with the parties referred to by the Deputy regarding that application.

Administration of the Fund and applications made to it are matters for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or Iarnród Éireann has previously contributed to the cost of relocating a rail terminus or line specifically to facilitate a public-private investment, such as that proposed for Plunkett Station, Waterford; and if his attention has been drawn to particular concerns Iarnród Eireann has regarding the North Quays application under the urban regeneration and development fund. [38965/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In order to support National Strategic Objective 1: Compact Growth, Government established an Urban Regeneration and Development Fund which is designed to support the co-development of Project Ireland 2040'srecognised key growth enablers for the cities.

The Waterford North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) was approved in 2018 and Project Ireland 2040 recognises that redevelopment of the North Quays is a key growth enabler for this important city.

As part of the SDZ masterplan I understand there are proposals to facilitate a potential transport hub and I further understand that the proposal forms part of the overall application made by Waterford City and County Council to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fundto improve the public realm of the North Quays and regenerate the area. Administration of that Fundis a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

I am not aware of particular concerns as alluded to by the Deputy nor am I aware of any recent relocation of any of major rail termini in Ireland and therefore the issue of Departmental funding would not have arisen.