Mattie McGrath: Newcastle hall faces 30-40% cost rise after delay
Mattie McGrath raised the case of Newcastle Community Hall, arguing that delays and rising building costs left the community with a shortfall on an urban village renewal grant. He said the community had raised the required £35,000 but now faces tender prices that could be 30-40% higher, and that the minister offered no solace.
Funding background
The hall had been awarded 80% funding under an urban village renewal allocation in late 2018, leaving a 20% shortfall of £35,000 to be met locally. The project is described as being under the stewardship of Miss Marion Odeweyer.
Community fundraising and COVID
Community members raised the £35,000 themselves in the middle of the COVID pandemic, and have been credited for that effort. Despite raising the funds, the project must return to tender because of delays.
Impact of delays and rising costs
Because of the delay, work must be retendered and the community fears tender prices will be significantly higher. The speaker said the cost of building material and works has escalated hugely - possibly adding 30-40% to the original cost.
Minister and Taoiseach responses
The speaker said he had raised the matter with the minister previously and received no solace. The Taoiseach recalled visiting the hall, confirmed that 80% of funding was allocated, and said the situation would be kept under review and worked on with the local authority.
Local consequences
The speaker urged extra funding and support so the facility can be completed and used by the community, noting the hall's long history since 1973 and the importance of supporting local community facilities.
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But teaching on this issue of community halls you addressed earlier, Newcastle Community Hall had an excellent submission for funding under urban village renewal under stewardship of Miss Marion Odeweyer. They got 80% funding, but they had to make up, that was late, 2018, they had to make up the 20%, which was £35,000. And sterling work, with ingenuity, they have raised the £35,000. But now the dilemma is, because of the delay, they have to return to the project. And as you know, thanks to many government policies, the cost of building material and works has escalated hugely. So it's a silly shortfall. Now, I raised this with Minister Humphreys before, and she gave me no solace. So they raised the money themselves, and credited them, in the middle of COVID, in the heat of COVID. But now they're out of tender, and they're worried that the prices coming back would probably be 30, 40% on top of it again. And we need to support those communities, not the Colonel of Kayla. It's there since 1973, since the late Brady Coleman bought that off the VEC and set up a community centre. Thank you Deputy. And they need extra funding for these facilities, to have them for use for the community. Time is up. Taoiseach, please. Thank you Deputy for raising the issue. I think I was in that hall. Well, I brought you in, gave you tea. Well, you got me in. I think you invited me at the time. I did? And you agreed to go? And the tea was very good. I caught it. Oh, I did. I drank the tea. But I want to say that I think 80% of the funding you're saying was allocated. And then, to be fair to the community, there is 35,000. We'll keep the situation under review in terms of what the tender price comes in at. And see what can happen. And we'll work with the local authority there as well. Thank you, Tisha.
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