The independent review of the proposed national stadium lists some £200 million worth of benefits it says the project will bring. The Taoiseach is expected to highlight these benefits when he asks the Cabinet to give it the go ahead within a month.
The consultants' review of Sports Campus Ireland, to be presented to a Government Steering Committee next week, will detail these benefits which are set to become a key component of the Taoiseach's argument in favour of giving the scheme the green light. Project supporters say the value of these benefits should be offset against the construction cost.
The consultants are understood to have agreed that the Government's estimated construction cost of £550 million is broadly accurate. However, they state that part of the cost of improving road and rail links to the Abbotstown site should be added to this figure.
While the total may therefore rise over £600 million, it will be substantially below the £1 billion figure put forward by opponents of the project.
The social and economic benefits listed include the provision of jobs and income from hotels, restaurants, pubs and other tourism ventures.
The £200 million benefit estimated by British consultants High Point Rendel is considerably higher than the £130 million suggested by the original consultants' report from PricewaterhouseCoopers several years ago.
Despite the good news for the Government, Progressive Democrat sources say the economic downturn has heightened their concerns. The Taoiseach and Tβnaiste have yet to agree an approach in the light of the findings.
Supporters of the project accept that to go ahead, it may have to be scaled back somewhat. The stadium itself - the centrepiece of the sports campus - may be reduced from 80,000 capacity to 65,000. There is speculation that some of the other elements, including an aquatic centre, indoor arena, velodrome, golf academy and tennis centre, may be dropped or deferred for construction.
However, Government sources have rejected as "nonsense" speculation yesterday that the project will be shelved. Work on the aquatic centre has begun, and it will be completed in time for the 2003 Special Olympics.
If the go-ahead is given shortly for the remaining elements, the first substantial spending will not take place until 2003.
The Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr McDaid, acknowledged this week that it was necessary to have regard to the changed budgetary arithmetic when considering the project.
Dr McDaid is expected this week to receive a copy of the final report from the Steering Group.