The Complex cannot be allowed to close. Government must step in to ensure last part of the funding jigsaw is met.

Dublin Central TD Marie Sherlock said she is gutted to learn that the Complex is facing closure in January.

Deputy Sherlock:

“The loss of The Complex arts space and studios in January would be an absolutely devastating blow to the Arts in Dublin. It would be the latest in 15 years of closures and a hollowing out of arts studios across Dublin.

“What is most cruel about this situation is that The Complex was on the cusp of a major expansion and securing of its arts space and studios. It had secured a loan itself, funding from Dublin City Council to help purchase the building, funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to support the fit out of the newly developed facility and had conducted two meetings with the Ministers of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform and there was the promise of a third, to negotiate government funding to support this vital arts facility. Now it appears that Government will not now step up and the whole project is about the collapse.

“This cannot be allowed to happen.

“This whole debacle lays bare the precariousness of arts’ spaces and studios in Ireland. It is somewhat ironic that as then Labour party Arts spokesperson, I held a public meeting last year in the Complex building to discuss how the State must transform how its supports arts spaces in Ireland. This was attended by creatives across Dublin and it was clear than that there is a glaring need to put in place structured supports to save and develop artists spaces.

“Government must now make clear whether there is any substance behind their honeyed words of support to the Arts.

“The Complex is a key part of the beating heart of the north west inner city, it plays a critical part of the cultural and artistic landscape across Dublin and it happens to be located in the middle of the fruit and vegetable market quarter of Dublin where significant State investment is going into the Fruit and vegetable market building. It would be a terrible irony if the State was to allow The Complex arts space to close while pumping millions into a building close by to it which will be a commercial and retail hub in that part of the city.”