Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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401. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific plans and timelines he has received from a local authority on a project (details supplied). [24205/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan (NDP), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) provides part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns, while also ensuring that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.

To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 sub-projects, URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.

In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €353,407,500 in URDF support for Cork City Council's 'Cork City Docklands' proposal. This project will unlock Cork City Docklands potential to develop as a vibrant, high quality district that will attract investment in relation to mixed use development, leisure and cultural facilities. The development of Cork City Docklands is a key element of Cork City’s ambitious plans to achieve compact urban growth as part of Project Ireland 2040.

The URDF proposal for Cork City Docklands comprises several projects comprising (a) Public Realm (b) Drainage and Flooding (c) Amenities, community infrastructure and transport including the Kent Station Bridge and the Eastern Gateway Bridge. The Preliminary Business Case for Marina Park Phase 2 is scheduled to be submitted in Q2, 2023. The final phase of the 70-acre Marina Park master plan will see the creation of an 'eco-park', providing amenities and protecting the natural heritage and biodiversity of the area.

Tenders for the procurement of a multidisciplinary design team for the North Docks will be invited in Q2, 2023 with a full team expected to be appointed by the end of Q3, 2023. This project includes the realignment of Horgan’s Road, significant quayside public realm and integration of greenway infrastructure. Once complete this sub-project will unlock significant public lands for residential development directly adjacent to Kent Station with excellent access to the wider public transport network.

A multidisciplinary design team, led by Hawkins Brown have been appointed to complete the Framework Master plan for the Cork City Docklands combining existing transport, public realm, amenity, heritage, drainage and flood protection studies into a single cohesive strategy. The Preliminary Business Case is advancing for the Cork City Docklands with a view to developing coherent infrastructure bundles, which will be sequenced to support optimal regeneration while also accounting for significant interdependencies such as the removal of Seveso activities and relocation of Port Activities to the lower harbour.

Finally, it should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Cork City Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of their URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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402. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific plans and timelines he has received from a local authority on a project (details supplied). [24206/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Cork Events Centre was included as a commitment under Project Ireland 2040. This underlines the Government’s objectives for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.

It was agreed by Government in the context of Budget 2020 that responsibility for making the grant funding available for the project would transfer to my Department. However, responsibility for the advancement of proposals for the development of the Events Centre remains, in the first instance, a matter for Cork City Council.

Engagement between my Department and Cork City Council have continued this year with recent meetings to determine progress and next steps.

The Council has advised my Department that detailed design of the Events Centre will be completed in Q2, 2023, following which Cork City Council will engage with the consortium in respect of the updated costs of the project and engage also with my Department as required.