Quick turnaround for new bid to build Cork Event Centre 'achievable', claims Government
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A turnaround time of 12-18 months from tendering to starting construction on the Cork Event Centre is possible, the Cabinet has been told.
The Government reaffirmed its support for the plan on Tuesday despite saying that it needing to go to tender again, some eight years after the sod was turned, as Cabinet gave the green light for a fresh procurement process.
A total of €57m in funding already approved remains in place and on hold pending the new process, with the Government agreeing to support increased grant funding upon completion of a new procurement process and a revised final business case by Cork City Council.
A Government spokesperson said Cork City Council will engage again with the European Commission about any possible State Aid issues, but that the council has advised that a 12-18 month timeline is "achievable".
A project development board and project management delivery team, led by Cork City Council and with representation from government departments, will report on progress every three months.
Once a preferred bidder has been selected and the amount of grant funding required from the State confirmed, Cork City Council will engage with the European Commission.
It is understood that a report by Cork City Council on the final detailed design for the venue, which was submitted to the Department of Housing last December, shows there is a need for an additional €30m to €40m in State aid to deliver the project.
It is understood there has been a "very significant" escalation in costs since 2021 which means that the existing procurement process cannot support the level of grant funding now required.
Government sources also fear that the General Block Exemption from European state aid provisions, which was available for the event centre when projected costs were much lower, cannot be safely relied upon now.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin acknowledged the public frustration surrounding the entire process and saga on Tuesday, but said: “I welcome the Government’s reaffirmation on Tuesday of its funding commitment to the project.”
He said the development of a multipurpose event centre in the heart of Cork City can advance the wider national planning policy agenda to develop Cork and its wider metropolitan region to act as a counterbalance to Dublin.
“A structure is now in place to advance the process with a project development board set up involving Cork City Council and the Department of Housing to drive this forward,” he said.
It is highly unlikely that the process will be complete before the planning permission secured by BAM for the proposed 6,000 capacity venue on South Main St expires next March.
In a joint statement, the Cork Chamber, the Cork Business Association, the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, the Vintners Federation in Cork, and the Restaurant Association of Ireland all expressed disappointment by the further delay, but welcomed the commitment to delivery by Government.
Separately at Cabinet, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan secured Government approval for the Luas-Finglas project to enter the planning system.
The project will extend the existing Luas tram network northwards by almost 4km from Broombridge to the Finglas area, with stops at St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road, and Charlestown near the M50.
If prioritised, the Luas-Finglas line could be operational by 2031, subject to planning and funding. It would see commuters reach Dublin city some 17 minutes quicker than by car.
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