Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
386. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 10 of December 2025, if he can identify the officials referred to who are sitting on the project steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73775/25]
View answer393. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 10 of December 2025, when the first meeting of the ‘project steering group’ took place; the number of meetings of this steering group since its inception; the provenance of the cost range estimate referred as to how it was arrived at, and what factors were included in that cost consideration; how ‘technical consultants’ will be engaged with; when it is envisaged the work streams referred will be agreed and established; and when the next meeting of the ‘project steering group’ is scheduled to take place. [73773/25]
View answer394. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 10 of December 2025, the form the non-statutory public consultation may take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73774/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 393 and 394 together.
The first meeting of the Steering Group took place in November 2024. There have been 11 Steering Group meetings since its inception. The next meeting of the Steering Group is planned for January 2026.
The cost range estimate was based on an assessment of accommodating, in outline form, the commitments made by Government. It is anticipated that, subject to the outcomes of a non-statutory public consultation and engagement process, the future GPO Complex will incorporate at least some, or all of the following:
1. Retention of a public post office function
2. A significant cultural use/ uses
3. Public realm enhancements at street level to encourage public use of the GPO complex.
4. High-quality offices on the upper floors to provide critical accommodation to meet ongoing/ additional Government requirements.
5. Reimagined retail components within the existing retail footprint, along Henry Street and in the GPO Arcade.
Technical Consultants will be procured publicly, and they will contracted to provide services to the Office of Public Works.
There are several work streams in operation at present, which include property related matters, the non-statutory public consultation engagement process and meanwhile uses. It is expected that other work streams will be required to support the Steering Group in time.
The Office of Public Works has developed a framework for a non-statutory public consultation and engagement process which aligns with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and other key statutory consents. A detailed request for tender to provide non-statutory public consultation and engagement services has been drafted. It is anticipated that the successful tenderer will provide services which are structured in the following manner and/ or under the following themes; Educate, Listen, Debate, Define, Describe and Select.
The membership of the GPO Complex Steering Group is as follows:
Assistant Secretary General (Head of Estate Management), Office of Public Works – Steering Group co-chair.
State Architect and Principal Architect, Office of Public Works – Steering Group co-chair.
Higher Executive Officer, Property Management Owned (OPW) – Steering Group secretary.
Assistant Secretary General (Head of Heritage and Capital Development), Office of Public Works.
Principal Officer, Property Management (Owned), Office of Public Works
Principal Officer, Property Management (Portfolio Planning and Property Advisory Services), Office of Public Works.
Assistant Principal Architect, Office of the State Architect, Office of Public Works.
Assistant Principal Office, Property Management (Owned), Office of Public Works.
Principal Officer, Department of Culture, Communications & Sport - Postal Policy and Corporate Governance
Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Culture, Communications & Sport - Postal Policy and Corporate Governance
Principal Officer, Department of Culture, Communications & Sport - Culture Ireland Showcasing, Commemorations Unit and the Night-Time Economy Unit
Executive Manager, Dublin City Council.
