Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am here as Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and flood relief to present a proposal for a Supplementary Estimate of €20 million for the Office of Public Works, OPW. The Supplementary Estimate will bring the 2018 net Estimate for the Vote to €424.214 million. The gross Supplementary Estimate is €22 million which comprises costs of €18 million associated with the papal visit this year and an estimated additional spend of €4 million on new works, alterations and additions.

The Government agreed to facilitate a visit by Pope Francis to the World Meeting of Families during August. It was a large and complex event. The OPW, in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach, devised the papal visit management plan with the World Meeting of Families, adopting a whole-of-government approach to ensure the health, safety and welfare of participants and visitors. In implementing the plan the OPW did outstanding work to facilitate the event. It facilitated the safety of all involved, while at the same time showcasing, nationally and internationally, the attractiveness of Ireland as a country and its ability to host such an event. Like any event of this magnitude, there are associated costs involved which, in this case, amount to €18 million. As the event had not been finalised when the 2018 Estimates were published this time last year, the OPW Vote contained no allocation in the 2018 Estimate for the visit.

The OPW also expended an additional sum of €4 million on new works, alterations and additions. They include work on Leinster House and the rationalisation programme for the Department of Justice and Equality which was committed to in 2019 but advanced by the OPW to 2018. In order to reduce the required Supplementary Estimate, I have sought to allocate €2 million in additional appropriations-in-aid received by the OPW against this request, thereby reducing the requirement to €20 million. It is worth noting that the OPW expects to provide €25.749 million for the Exchequer for appropriations-in-aid in 2018. The vast bulk of this income is from the effective promotion of Ireland's heritage sites and efficient management of visitor demands and events at managed facilities of the OPW, including Dublin Castle, Kilkenny Castle and Castletown House.

The request for the Supplementary Estimate feeds from efficient and effective work undertaken by the OPW on behalf of the Government. I am happy to recommend it for consideration and approval by the committee and answer questions members may have about the additional requirement. If some of the questions are technical, my officials will be able to provide assistance.