Greystones media campus delay
John Brady questioned why the Greystones media campus had stalled despite major public investment and expected jobs. The Minister said the sector was important and would refer the specific project question to the relevant Minister.
Wicklow is synonymous with TV and film production, with Ardmore and Ashford film studios continuing to invest in the county and bring more opportunities. The planned Greystones media campus affords a strategic opportunity to create additional meaningful, well-paid jobs in Wicklow, meet industry demands and help grow the sector.
Both the Government and the taxpayer are stakeholders in this campus. Despite announcements of more than €300 million two years ago, including €24 million of taxpayers' money in investment in the development of the campus and work commencing at that time, work has since ground to a complete standstill. What actions are being taken by the Government to get this project back up and running? The approach being taken currently, a hands-off one, is not working. We need this investment and this project. What is being done?
Comment on this
As the Deputy rightly pointed out, this is an area we can be rightly proud of given the work and companies that have flourished in recent years. There has been significant investment in our arts sector overall, including our studio and film sector. In this year's budget there was a specific recognition of the work they do, the jobs they create but also what they add to our overall cultural gift, I suppose. On the specific question the Deputy asked about the project, I will have to go to the relevant Minister and ask her to come back to him directly.