Kenny turns sod for €26 million infrastructure project delivering 250 jobs

Signalling a massive escalation in the Grangegorman health and education campus project, An Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D, today turned the sod on the ‘Site Infrastructure and Public Realm’ contract.

The €26 million contract, which has been awarded to Roadbridge Ltd by the Grangegorman Development Agency, sees over 200 construction workers on site, providing the underpinning services that will enable the build out of the new development.

The project will be transformative for Dublin’s inner city in terms of higher education, health, community and enterprise, the Taoiseach said.  The project, which has the support of the European Investment Bank, is the biggest development of its kind in any European capital city.

In addition to launching the SIPR contract, the Taoiseach also announced today that a further 100 construction industry jobs will come on stream in Grangegorman shortly, as three further contracts commence.  These are being carried out by Irish contractors JJ Rhatigans & Company, Bourke Builders and Purcell Construction Ltd.  Between now and 2017 it is estimated that a total of 3,500 construction jobs will be created on the Grangegorman project.

Mr. Kenny said “The Grangegorman Project is a key capital development in the Government’s Jobs Stimulus Plan.  The future of the Irish economy is in enterprise and innovation and the development of Grangegorman fits perfectly with that goal.  In the development of the site, 300 construction jobs will be created which will provide a boost for some of those who were hit the hardest when the construction bubble burst and 20% of these are earmarked for people from the local area.”

He continued “In tandem with the Luas Cross City project this should be a really positive development for the north inner city in Dublin.  The Government’s top priority is getting people back to work and we will continue to pursue relentlessly every opportunity to create jobs and build economic recovery.”

The Grangegorman Development Agency has put in place a Local Employment Charter which aims to provide 20% of new jobs to local people.

Commenting on the Charter, the Chairman of the Grangegorman Development Agency, Mr. John Monahan said “this is hugely significant for the north inner city of Dublin and is just one of the ways in which the overall Grangegorman project will be a vehicle for the urban regeneration of this part of the city.”

He went on “The Grangegorman project is about developing a sustainable and open new urban quarter for Dublin City. It has health, education and community at its heart. However, it will also drive the regeneration of this area.”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Grangegorman Development Agency, Mr. Michael Hand, explained that the first key piece of the project is now complete. He said “The Phoenix Care Centre is not only a state of the art new mental health facility, but it sets the standard for the rest of the project. It was officially opened in February by the Minister for Health James Reilly T.D, and it is now fully operational. “

He went on “The contract being launched here today, along with the other ones about to go on site, will pave the way for the first 1,000 DIT students to come to Grangegorman in September 2014. In addition to this a Primary Healthcare centre is currently being developed and a Community Nursing Unit is being planned. ”

Speaking on behalf of the HSE, Anne O’Connor, HSE Head of Operations – Mental Health Services, said “the Grangegorman site is of particular historical significance to the HSE and in particular to those receiving services from and working in the mental health services in the greater Dublin area.  With the closure of St. Brendan’s Hospital Campus on 21st May, 2013 and the move to the state of the art ‘Phoenix Care Centre’ a new chapter in the history of care for those with mental illness commenced.”

She went on “Whilst the site has historically been dedicated to the care of those with mental illness, the Grangegorman Masterplan has been designed to allow for the development of a range of other health related services on site such as the new Primary Care Centre and Community Nursing Unit.  The HSE will continue to work in partnership with the GDA and DIT to develop and deliver on this Masterplan which is a significant milestone in the development of both health infrastructure and health services in the North Inner City of Dublin.”

President of Dublin Institute of Technology, Professor Brian Norton, said “As can be seen from the activity on site today, we are well on track for the arrival of the first 1000 DIT students next September.  This exciting new campus will play a key part in the education and development of a new generation of graduates who will become the leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs we need to drive Ireland’s future competitiveness.  After many years of planning, we are extremely grateful to the very many colleagues in the GDA, the Department of Education and Skills, the NDFA – and in DIT! – for their work in delivering this project.”