Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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99. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed walking and cycling bridge across the River Liffey from the War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge; if funding has been assigned to the project; if so, the amount; the proposed timeline for works to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11905/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works is progressing with the planning application of the new Commemorative Bridge and entrance plaza linking the Irish National War Memorial Gardens (INWMG) to Conyngham Road and the Phoenix Park on the northern side of the Liffey.

This project is widely supported by local elected representatives, community, stakeholders and the general public.

The OPW is engaging with consultants, Ian Ritchie Architects, to advance the design scheme and prepare the planning application for the bridge. It is not possible to give an exact costing for the proposed bridge at this time. The Office of Public Works has also engaged Consultants to prepare a draft Flood Risk Assessment and Section 50 application.

To date, all appropriate baseline studies have been completed. These include the Feasibility Study, Ecological studies and a detailed business case. Dublin City Council recently amended the local area plan for Inchicore to allow for development of this piece of infrastructure

Funding has not been specifically allocated for this project to date but approx. €100k has been spent on design consultant costs and survey costs and a further €700k is allocated for projected works to bring this to planning in Quarter 1 of 2023. It is anticipated that the OPW will tender for the construction works later in 2023.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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100. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed renovation of the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park; if funding has been assigned to the project; if so, the amount; the proposed timeline for works to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11906/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works has developed plans for the restoration of the Magazine Fort, Phoenix Park, and has received the necessary planning permission from Dublin City Council in 2022.

The OPW has already tendered for Phase 1 of the restoration works i.e. the Structural Stabilisation and Repair Works to the rampart walls, along with some other buildings which have been prioritised for conservation attention. This process will conclude shortly. The Office of Public Works will appoint a main contractor and it is anticipated that the project will begin on site in Summer 2023. Exact costs cannot be confirmed at this juncture but as previously advised, the OPW will fund the total project cost of these works from within its own Vote.

It is expected that the programme for this phase of works will be be approximately twenty four months in duration.