The programme for Government committed to having a new national planning framework. As the Minister knows, that framework recognises Waterford as a regional city. The local authority has asked the Government to properly support the North Quays development which is very important to the economic development of Waterford city and county and the entire south east. Three years ago the local authorities entered into discussions with a private investor who was willing to put €400 million on the table, contingent on the provision of State funding. To date, we have received no solid commitment on numbers from the Government to ensure the project will proceed. There is a concern that it could slip if the Government's commitment is not put on the table. When will the Government announce the next round of funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund? I know that the Minister visited Waterford recently and saw the site. Will he commit that Government funding will be put on the table to allow the development to proceed in order that we can make Waterford the city it needs to be?

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue again. It is an incredibly important project which is part of our vision for the national planning framework for Waterford in increasing the population, density and the role Waterford will continue to play in the region. We made that commitment of funding in the first round of funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, URDF.

Some €6 million.

We have made a commitment to provide further funding as we open new rounds. I hope to be able to open the second round of funding from the URDF next month. It will probably run for about three months to allow applications to come in from the local authorities now that they know how the fund works and how to make applications. We can then announce further funding at the beginning of next year. The commitments have been given directly to Waterford regarding the capital project in terms of the amount that has been requested for the overall project, but we need to ensure we will have oversight of how the money will be used in the different phases.