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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 08, 2021

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

Can the Chief Executive give an update about Grange Castle Golf Course. What is the arrangement in terms of management of the course and is this due for renewal? Is the course being operated on "a pay and play" basis, including during level 3 restrictions, or do club members get priority? Can the feasibility of this course being a fully municipal facility in keeping with its original ethos be considered in terms of future plans and will the Chief Executive make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

The concession for the operation of Grange Castle Golf Course (which consists of an 18 hole course and a 7 hole course) is now due for renewal and we are in the process of preparing tender documents for publication on the etenders portal. We anticipate that it will be advertised in February. The course is operated as "a pay and play" course and the course also hosts a Golf club whose members play on the course. Members can book tee times through the portal, however there are time slots retained within each hour for booking by 'visitors' who wish to play on a "pay and play" basis.

As part of the review of the current concession and in advance of issuing a tender, an assessment of the costs and benfits has been undertaken. It is considered to more beneficial to SDCC to re-tender the concession rather than reverting to a direct labour model, which would necessiate the recruitment of specialist staff and therefore necessiate the provision of funding through the budgetry process.