I propose to take Questions Nos. 479, 480 and 481 together.
The Cork Events Centre (CEC), which will provide a venue for concerts, conferences, community events and contribute to the economic and social development of Cork and the Southern Region, was included as a Government commitment under the revised National Development Plan in 2021. The Government decision of 22 October 2024 re-affirmed this commitment as well as ongoing Exchequer funding support for an Events Centre in Cork City, given its strategic alignment with the growth ambition for Cork as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. A commitment to “work towards the completion of the Cork Events Centre to enhance Cork’s cultural landscape and boost the city’s regeneration” has also been included in the Programme for Government.
As required by the Government decision, a Project Development Board (PDB), led by Cork City Council (CCC), has been established and meets every month (except last August) with 17 meetings taking place to date. It is chaired by Cork City Council and includes members from my Department, the Chief State Solicitor's Office, local business representatives bodies, University College Cork and an independent member with relevant expertise.
AECOM has been procured by CCC as the Project Management Delivery Team (PMDT), a multidisciplinary team with the appropriate expertise to manage the project through all stages of the project lifecycle. It is responsible for planning and executing the project, including the procurement process, and delivering high-quality results on time and within budget in that respect.
Supported by AECOM, CCC submitted a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for the project to my Department in December 2025. The PBC was reviewed in accordance with the Infrastructure Guidelines and was subsequently approved in April 2026.
Immediately thereafter, CCC initiated a two-phase procurement process which is now well advanced. A number of submissions have been received for the first (pre-qualification) phase of this process. The assessment of these submissions is underway and is expected to be completed in the autumn.
In the meantime, the tender documents for the final tender phase are also in the process of being prepared and will issue following completion of the first phase. The process to select a preferred bidder will follow. The timeframe for completion of these processes will depend, in the first instance, on the outcome of the assessment process for the first procurement phase.
Given the position with respect to the procurement process as outlined above, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any matter that is the subject of that process at this time, including details of any expressions of interest or the level of available State Aid.
I can confirm that I have been reporting to Government on progress with the project, most recently in April, and will continue to do so as it progresses through the project lifecycle.
Expenditure to date by Cork City Council on the project is €2,856,102, all of which is Exchequer funded. It can be broken down as follows:
2024 - €1,604,551.
2025 - €641,041.
2026 - €610,510.
