Dublin city centre task force funding
Deputy Gannon pressed for funding for the Dublin city centre task force report and criticised the lack of a clear allocation. The Minister said he supported the report, was meeting councillors, and that funding would be considered through the budgetary process.
In May 2024, the Government the Minister was part of formed the city centre task force for Dublin with an aim of restoring our beautiful city to what it can be. In September, that report was delivered to Government by the overseer of the report, David McRedmond. In November, the report was released to great fanfare and much PR. It features in the programme for Government. Whenever I ask, however, or whenever a question is raised in Dublin City Council, for example, seeking an update, we are told no funding stream has yet been allocated. The Minister walks the same streets I do and understands the need for investment. He is the Minister for Finance. When can we see a funding stream allocated to the city centre task force for Dublin so that we can bring our city back to what it should be?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. He and I are really lucky to represent the north side of the city centre. I agree with him about the importance of that report. I am meeting a number of councillors on a cross-party basis from Dublin City Council tomorrow on this issue. I can see the changes that are happening in the city centre. I can see more gardaí. I can see the efforts the city council is making to keep it cleaner and safer. The Deputy will also be aware of the opening of the new healthcare facility by the Rotunda in the heart of our city centre.
Comment on this
That, Deputy Gannon, is indeed funding. It is evidence of the commitment we have to make a difference. In conjunction with our budgetary process, which is the way all these things have to come together, we will look at how we can support that report and make sure it gets the funding it needs, just as we have done with the north inner city task force