2064. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the redevelopment of Busáras. [62318/26]

Áras Mhic Dhiarmada (ÁMD), is the headquarters of my department, located on Store Street, Dublin 1. The ground floor, part of the basement, mezzanine floor and the external bus parking areas are occupied by CIÉ (the area of the building which is known as Busáras). The entire building, known as Áras Mhic Dhiarmada (AMD), is owned by the Minister for Social Protection, on behalf of the Social Insurance Fund. The area occupied by CIÉ is held under a long term lease with my department.

The redevelopment of ÁMD is being led by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as contracting authority in conjunction with the department and CIÉ.

The redevelopment will provide for the comprehensive refurbishment, conservation and upgrading of this protected structure, addressing significant building fabric, mechanical and electrical, fire safety, accessibility and accommodation issues that have arisen due to the age of the building. The project will also preserve the architectural heritage of ÁMD while improving its functionality, sustainability and energy performance.

The project has been allocated funding under the National Development Plan and is currently at an early stage of development. The OPW is procuring the final disciplines within the design team required to progress the project. The detailed construction programme will be determined by the OPW as the project progresses.

Subject to the completion of planning, design, procurement and approval processes, it is currently intended that construction works will commence towards the latter part of 2028 however this timeframe will be subject to the completion of a range of planning, design, procurement and approval processes.

To facilitate the refurbishment programme, my department will vacate the area it occupies within the building for the duration of the works.

The OPW, the department and CIÉ will continue to work closely together throughout the project to ensure that the refurbishment is managed in a manner that maintains the continuity of both public transport operations at Bus Áras and services provided by the department.