Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, I wish to request access to the following records held by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform (“the Department”): Project documentation • The Stage-2 Preliminary Business Case (PBC), or equivalent appraisal/business-case document, prepared for the acquisition of the Citywest Hotel & Convention Centre (approximately €148.2 million) for International-Protection accommodation purposes. • Any Executive Summary or Value-for-Money assessment provided to DPER for this transaction. Decision-Gate records • Records showing that the project passed “Decision Gate 2” (or equivalent approval stage under the Public Spending Code / Infrastructure Guidelines) and the date of that approval. • Any memorandum, minute, or email recording DPER’s approval, comment, or recommendation on the Stage-2 PBC or Gate 2 documentation. Approving Authority • Records identifying which Approving Authority considered and approved the project under the Public Spending Code / Infrastructure Guidelines framework. Deviations or special procedures • Any records, internal memos, or correspondence that explain deviations from the standard PSC/Infrastructure-Guidelines approval path (for example, if the acquisition was treated as an “asset purchase” rather than a standard capital project). Timeframe Please include records created or received from 1 December 2023 to present. Preferred format Electronic copies (PDF or email attachments) are preferred. Public-interest note Disclosure is in the public interest to demonstrate transparency, value-for-money appraisal, and compliance with the Public Spending Code for one of the largest State accommodation purchases in recent years. If portions of records are exempt, please apply Section 18 and release redacted versions with a schedule of records identifying any withheld material and the exemption(s) relied upon. If any clarification would assist, I’m happy to refine the scope.