James Geoghegan
Question:123. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the implementation of the Dublin City Taskforce report [34351/26]
View answerTuesday, 19 May 2026
Questions (123)
Written answers
In May 2024, the Government appointed a Taskforce to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre, north and south to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.
Following the Taskforce’s report and recommendations, as agreed by Government, the Department of the Taoiseach convened an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to examine the recommendations made by the Dublin City Taskforce.
The IDG, chaired by my Department, submitted a report to Government with a 10-year Roadmap for Delivery setting out a comprehensive implementation path for the Taskforce Report.
Through this Roadmap for Delivery, we will see implementation of the Taskforce Report across three phases, over 10 years, at the heart of Dublin City.
Central to this will be:
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to drive delivery and to support the specific capital developments relevant to the project. Dublin City Council is progressing the establishment of this new legal entity, in line with the timelines laid out in the Roadmap;
A 10 Year Integrated Area Strategy for Dublin city centre to optimise funding and investment and tackle vacancy and dereliction;
• Accelerated delivery of landmark capital projects in the city centre through additional funding in the URDF under the NDP review;
• Redevelopment of the GPO Complex as an ambitious and historic flagship project, which will be managed by the OPW.
The Roadmap for Delivery of the Dublin City Taskforce also creates an enabling environment designed to build confidence with business, landholders and investors to get involved in achieving a new vision for Dublin City Centre and to drive private sector investment.
An Oversight Board, comprising all of the relevant Departments and Agencies, has been established to oversee and provide strategic direction for delivery of the Roadmap. It is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. The Board has been meeting regularly since its establishment in July.
The Government recently agreed to the assignment of Mr Robert Watt as CEO-Designate of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) being established by DCC to drive implementation of the Roadmap, in agreement with the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council.
In line with the Roadmap, Dublin City Council is currently recruiting staff for an interim Programme Management Unit which will drive delivery while work is advancing to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
Changes to the Living City Initiative announced as part of Budget 2026 will also support regeneration and efforts to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the city.
The Programme for Government commits to applying the Dublin City Taskforce model to other cities, towns and regions in need of revitalisation, starting with Cork City. At the beginning of April, Government approved establishment of The Cork City Futures Group to guide development of Cork City for the future.
A dedicated body, to be known as The Cork City Futures Group, will work to unlock the city’s full economic, cultural and academic potential, alongside further investment, innovation and infrastructure.
The following Terms of Reference were approved:
Review the Cork City Centre Development and Operations Action Plan 2025-2030 and report back to Government on progress, barriers to progress, and to identify what needs to be done at local or national level to ensure Action Plan delivery.
• Make recommendations to Government on how Cork City can fully realise its potential for sustained foreign direct investment, domestic business development and innovation, and serve as a regional hub aligning educational and intellectual property assets with local and international enterprise.
• To maximise Cork City’s potential as a University City given the strength of UCC and MTU.
• Assess how the city can bolster the wider economic and social development of the hinterland, the region and nationally.
• onsideration of how Cork City’s arts and culture offering could be strengthened as part of the national offering.
The Group is comprised of members representing Academia, Business, An Garda Síochána, the Arts and Culture sector, Tourism, Transport and the Community and Voluntary sector. Mr Brendan Tuohy, who is a former Secretary General, has been appointed as the Independent Chair.
There will be regular reports to Government on developments in both Dublin city and Cork city initiatives.
Questions Nos. 124 to 126, inclusive, resubmitted.