Dublin city centre is not dying, the public expenditure minister has said.
Pashcal Donohoe made the remarks ahead of the publication of a report from the Dublin City Centre Taskforce.
He said he expected the report to be published within a few weeks of the Dáil returning in September.
The taskforce, chaired by An Post CEO David McRedmond, is to make recommendations on improving the city centre’s public realm, safety and experience.
It comes amid concerns about crime, drug use and the viability of the hospitality sector in the heart of Dublin.
Mr Donohoe, a TD for Dublin Central, said the Government wanted to make the capital a “great city to live, visit and go out in”.
However, he added: “We’re not where we want to be with regard to that, but I think we will get there, and the report from David McRedmond will be an important ingredient in that.”
Mr Donohoe said he was sure there would be a recommendation that Dublin City Council be provided with more money, but added: “We have a lot of big investment plans in the city centre already that are under way.”
Asked if recent high-profile restaurant closures were an example of the death of the city centre, Mr Donohoe rejected the characterisation.
Speaking to reporters at The Complex arts centre in Smithfield, Dublin, the minister said: “We are standing in an amazing complex that’s only opened in recent years, that is an example of the change that’s under way in the city centre.
“When I’m out in Dublin at night, when I’m spending time here in the city centre – a city centre that I live reasonably near, that I spend a lot of time in – I see the challenges that are there, but I see a vibrancy, and I see movement and vitality in our city.
“That certainly does not speak to ‘death’.
“There are many changes that are under way, lots of investment that is under way within our city centre to try to improve it, to try to build upon the attractiveness of it.
“I know there are challenges. I know there are businesses who are finding it a struggle, but we are trying to help them. We’re trying to make this a safer, a more secure and a more beautiful city to be in.
“We’ve made progress, but I know there’s lots more that we need to do too.”
Mr Donohoe was speaking to media after meeting groups named as finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2024.
The awards are designed to “celebrate and honour the inspirational work” carried out by hundreds of volunteers, coaches, caregivers and other individuals across Ireland, and the organisations they represent.
The groups are among 35 national finalists across a range of categories with the winners to be announced in October.
