Dublin City Council has announced a capital budget of €4.245 billion for the years 2024-2026.
The biggest single area of expenditure is housing projects, which with €2.806bn allocated will account for 66% of capital spending.
The next biggest area is Road Transport and Safety, which accounts for €691 million.
Flagship projects listed in the capital budget include Phase 1 of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, a redevelopment of Dalymount Park, which will include a new library and community facility, a new Public Lighting Upgrade Project and the Dublin District Heating System.
The budget notes the District Heating project has been "beset by delays" and sets out that construction is expected to start in early 2025.
The system will use heat taken from the waste incinerator at Ringsend and the first phase will supply space heating and hot water to homes and businesses in Poolbeg west, North Lotts and the Grand Canal Docks SDZ (Special Development Zone).
The project which is described as having a key role in regional and national climate targets is projected to cost €118m.
The Parnell Square Cultural Quarter will include a new five-storey city library to the north of the square, essential works to the Hugh Lane Gallery and the restoration of some Georgian houses on the square. The estimated cost of Phase 1 is €140m.
The Dalymount redevelopment will see a four-sided enclosed stadium with a capacity of 8,000 and will include a new public community facility for Phibsborough. The overall cost of the project is estimated at €56m.
The Public Lighting Upgrade Project is promised to deliver energy savings of more than 50% by installing LED technology.
It will also incorporate "smart sustainable technology that will greatly reduce the negative environmental effects that traditional uncontrolled light sources cause such as sky glow, light glare, and light spill".
The capital budget has been broadly welcomed by councillors, though some said that while they welcomed the budget, they were unhappy that it was presented as a fait accompli with little or no input from elected representatives.
