The Complex is a vibrant arts and cultural centre in Dublin's north-west inner city. It is fighting for its life, having received an eviction notice for January. There is, however, a chance to stop this happening but the Government has to play its part. A detailed viability plan to secure the centre's future is on the table. Dublin City Council has agreed to provide some of the money to purchase the building. It was hoped the Government would provide the finance to make up the shortfall. Management at The Complex received a letter from the Minister yesterday in which he abdicated any Government responsibility for the purchase of arts buildings.

This is very wrong. The Minister has the power to help to save The Complex. The community really needs him on board. The arts sector needs him on board to find a solution. The loss of The Complex would be absolutely devastating. I am asking the Minister to make this vital funding available to save this unique arts space that has really positively served the community for almost two decades. I ask him to commit to working with the management of The Complex and the community to save this really vital piece of arts infrastructure.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. She raised it in a different way from her colleague in the Labour Party. She will understand that there are only two ways properties could typically come into the State's ownership. One is through the local authorities and the other is through the Office of Public Works. The OPW manages all the State's portfolio on behalf of Government Departments, including my own. For instance, this includes the national museums. This building we are sitting in is actually the property of the OPW. I mentioned this issue to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Moran, last night. If there is a mechanism to get the building into the State's ownership, my Department can then obviously engage to discuss how we will support it going forward in terms of its operation and everything else. I encourage Dublin City Council, the largest local authority in the country, with the largest rate base in the country, to heed what the Deputy has said with regard to the local community and the importance of The Complex and to try to see-----

It is already on board. We need the Minister on board as well.

The Deputy knows I cannot give grants for the purchase of properties, in the same way as I cannot do it for sports facilities.

I ask the Minister to conclude.

I have raised the Deputy's question with the Minister of State, Deputy Moran. The OPW is probably the best vehicle to get this done, so I will raise the matter with him again.

I thank the Minister.