576. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the project development board will be established for the retendering of the Cork event centre; and the persons that will be on such a board. [44543/24]

The Cork Event Centre was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. This underlines the Government’s support for urban regeneration, enhanced amenity and heritage, associated quality of life standards, balanced regional development, and the regeneration and development of Cork City Centre.

The Government decision of 22 October re-affirms its commitment to and ongoing Exchequer funding support for an Events Centre in Cork City, given its strategic alignment with the growth ambition for Cork City, as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. The decision requires that the procurement process begins afresh and that a project development board, led by Cork City Council, be established to expedite the process.

My Department wrote to Cork City Council on the 31 October outlining details of the Government decision and the next steps required of the Council in order to begin formation of the project development board, including identification of potential board members and drafting the terms of reference for the board. These initial steps are expected to be completed and the board established within a matter of weeks.