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DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL is seeking €30 million in Central Government funding for the delayed Parnell Square Cultural Quarter and City Library.
The Quarter – including a new City Library – was first announced in 2016 and heralded plans for a transformation of Parnell Square West in Dublin.
After costs soared from €60 to €130 million – and a philanthropic drive by real estate firm Kennedy Wilson failed – the Council opted to proceed with the project itself on a phased basis.
The Council has since written to the Department of Finance and met with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to discuss Exchequer Grant Aid being provided towards the project.
The Council is also exploring if funding streams are available under Capital Support Schemes from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Last July, Council Chief Executive Owen Keegan wrote to Councillors regarding a “most disappointing and unwelcome development”.
The Parnell Foundation set up to raise philanthropic funding could not guarantee the money needed to fund the project, Keegan said.
Dublin City Council should “assume responsibility for the development of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter” and start building the library, Keegan said, which is projected to cost €80 million.
Documents obtained under Freedom of Information show that Kennedy Wilson struggled to appoint a fundraiser for the philanthropic drive.
The City Library Fundraiser – who was hired in April 2019 – later advised the council and the Parnell Square Foundation that it was likely to take over three years to raise the money needed for the City Library.
An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the City Library last May.
According to a spokesperson for Dublin City Council, an assessment to see if the project can be delivered on a “phased basis” has been completed.
Phase One, it said, involves completing refurbishment works to No 27 Parnell Square so that the City Library element of the Cultural Quarter can be built.
Phase Two involves the refurbishment of remaining Georgian buildings on Parnell Square West and public realm improvements.
Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson said that the required Central Government contribution towards the City Library is estimated to be in the region of €30 million, leaving the remainder – €50 million – to be sourced elsewhere.
Jackson said he favours pursuing the City Library project despite associated risks.
“At least if you go into a downturn and you’ve good infrastructure, like public transport or physical infrastructure like a library, you have legacy projects for the city for future generations.”
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Driving lessons will also become a major issues with waiting lists for these also. Once these young people get their Covid-19 passport vaccine maybe they should be allowed get lessons and test. Many might see this as something more important than getting into a pub for a drink and a meal.
@Hugh Mc Donnell: they’re already a problem. None of the places I contacted for lessons even got back to me
My son was due to take his test Monday morning but the tester decided to cancel it at the last minute due to an issue with a temporary insurance disc that was out of our control and we have since found out from the insurance company that the disc is the correct and only one available. So we have to reapply again and pay another €85 and go to the back of the queue. He didn’t even give us a chance to show the proof of the insurance. We first applied for the test June 2020!
@Trish O’Brien: sue the tester for loss of earnings
I’m sure the department have been using this time and spare resources to improve and develop the whole practical and theory testing and curriculum. I mean they’ve hardly sat back and not taken the opportunity!!!
Also when you get your theory. You need to have your PSC card in order to apply for your provisional license. There is a backlog for this already so young people have to join another queue.
Why do you need a PSC if you have a valid passport as identification?
This requirement seemed to be changed around 2018/19 so change it back!
@Patrick: this is untrue you do not need the psc card , on the application it’s still a requirement but shouldn’t be that was abolished.
Time for class action to sue Ryan , many jobs dependant on licence , one job offered to lad in our house , but when they heard no licence , it was non negotiable, other lad has had his theory cancelled from May to June now end of August , we live bout the country no buses , car is a vital asset , he has his car now nearly paid for but can’t even start lessons
Simple solution Theory Online with immediate effect
Driving instructors sign off students as competent with control measures or lessons etc and random testing of sample learners until they have caught up with the back log .
Sure, give out the licences again like the old days… Good times.
@Stu Cullum: that’s SF policy..same as housing…one for everybody in the audience.
@Stu Cullum: Agreed. In the circumstances, as a once off, young people should be issued with their driving license if they have attended all their training. NCT was, in effect issued to all to continue driving without the actual NCT test. Schedule a driving test for those who missed it over the next 3 years …
Passed my theory just as Covid took hold in February 2020. With the lockdown etc still haven’t completed my 12 EDT lessons . Only started it again after 8 months. With 1 hour offered to me a month. Absolute joke. Be two years by the time I’ve it completed.
Waiting since June 6th 2020.
Understandable, although there should be an official cancellation register portal as apposed to ringing and hoping on a daily basis.
My son was booked to do his test on Monday morning but the tester cancelled it at the last minute due to a query he had about the temporary insurance disc which we have since found out from the insurance company is the correct and only disc available, he didn’t even ask for see proof of the insurance. So now we have to reapply, pay another €85 and go to back of the queue. We first applied for the test in June 2020 and waited a full year!
@Trish O’Brien: omg that’s terrible, I’d definitely ring up and fight a case that it was the testers fault, and not only do you want an urgent test in the next week or two, but you should NOT have to pay again either.
All political, if everyone was allowed to sit the theory test the waiting list for the practical test would sky rocket hence control the numbers taking the theory test.
“Eamon Ryan asleep at the wheel”
Previous leader Shane Ross taking selfie’s at the wheel!
Previous RSA leader MM now doing a smash up job for the insurance companies.
Sadly the Current government leadership is in no hurry to change the status quo
——-
redeploy the Army transport vehicle maintenance school personnel to assist with urgent road test cases where a person’s job is at stake.
Temporarily hire and certify young driver ed teachers to assist with reducing the road test backlog.
overhaul the RSA staff Culture to get them to view the public as their customer
For returning emigrants-
Allow any driver with 5 or more years of world wide driving experience to drive alone with an “L” Decal
The driving here is atrocious don’t know how most passed
1\4million more cars on the road emo Ryan will chewing his shorts
One can do the theory test online but BUT you have to use an old Windows laptop. I am due to have mine next week, and am now on the hunt for such a laptop as mine is too new. Cannot make this up. My laptop won’t download the application needed for the theory test because “application is out of date and cannot be scanned for malware”. Hello, another cyber attack Irish government.
Thank you lord I passed my driving test in 2012. I don’t have to put up with this. I feel for those waiting for their test though, so the best of luck to them.
Go to another country to do the test but this will require to speak more than 1 language and some money to spare (e.g. germany calculate 2000€ minimum + accomodation)
have your say