Government delays Cork Events Centre funding decision until autumn

The site of Cork's Event Centre on South Main Street. The project is not on the Cabinet agenda on Wednesday morning meaning it is not likely to be approved until at least September. File picture: Dan Linehan

The Government has delayed a decision to provide additional State funding for the long-awaited Cork Events Centre until the autumn.

Cabinet is due to gather for its last meeting of the term on Wednesday morning, during which RTÉ funding, disability services and legislation around access to cash will all be discussed.

However, the Cork Events Centre is not on the agenda, despite promises that a decision on the addition funding requested by Cork City Council would be made, meaning it is not likely to be approved until at least September.

An initial €20m State aid package to develop the former Beamish and Crawford land on South Main Street was on offer, but that increased over the years to €57m by last year.

Following a detailed design process by Bam late last year, Cork City Council prepared and submitted a detailed report for the Department of Housing on the additional costs required to build the venue. There are suggestions that an additional €30m in State funding could be required.

Other Cabinet agenda items

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jack Chambers will seek Cabinet approval to publish the Access to Cash bill that ensures that there is a specified number of ATMs per 100,000 people.

Under the changes a specified percentage of the population must be within a certain distance of an ATM on a regional basis. People will also have to have access to cash facilities either though a bank branch or a post office.

The legislation places an obligation initially on the three main retail banks to ensure there is sufficient access to cash.

Separately Justice Minister will update the Government on plans to increase the Garda trainee allowance to €354 from €305. This builds on last year’s increase, meaning the allowance has almost doubled since 2023.

The minister is also establishing a Garda Recruit Training Capacity Planning Group to support increased recruitment.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin will bring a memo recommending against the re-location of Cathal Brugha Barracks following a feasibility study to convert it to housing.

The full re-location of Cathal Brugha Barracks would allow for the development of around 1,300 homes, with the development costs estimated at €499m.

It is estimated that the cost of relocating to a new barracks on a greenfield site would be in the region of €497m. The full re-location of the barracks would allow for the development of around 1,300 homes, with the development costs estimated at €499m.

This would bring the estimated combined cost of relocating the barracks and redeveloping the site to €1bn.

The Tánaiste will also bring a memo to Cabinet seeking approval for the Defence Policy Review which includes maritime security, changes to command and control as well as Defence funding.

Finally, the Government will consider a series of measures to improve disability services and will approve the Autism Innovation Strategy, which will address gaps in existing services.