Madam, - I refer to Mr White's article in The Irish Times (Oct 20th) regarding the cost of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium.
When the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road Stadium was announced in 2004, the estimated cost (€292 million) was based on a feasibility study only and we did not have detailed costing available.
Today we have the advantage of a detailed design plan and detailed costings.
It is a different stadium to the one originally envisaged in the feasibility study.
The IRFU and the FAI have decided to invest more in the premium and box levels as these areas provide much of the finance needed to pay for the stadium.
Part of the increase is also due to construction inflation. The actual cost is going to be €321 million plus VAT.
This works out around €365 million.
The Minister is confident that these figures will be realised and reaffirms that the Government will provide a grant of up to €191 million to the project.
Both the IRFU and the FAI have undertaken to meet the balance of the costs. - Yours, etc,
KEITH ASHMORE,
Press Officer,
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism,
Dublin 2.