Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 1 February 2024

Public Accounts Committee

Appropriation Accounts 2022
Vote 38 - Health
Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2022
Chapter 18 - Health Service Executive Funding and Financial Reporting

9:30 am

Mr. Robert Watt:

Those issues are contributing factors to both the delays and the cost runs associated with the project, yes, including the location of the site and the very fact that the enabling works alone cost us €200 million because the Drimnagh sewer had to be moved; the fact that we entered into a two-stage contract process; that we agreed ultimately this maximum price in the absence of a detailed design that did have all the quantities of work set out; and the actual design of the building itself.

Deputies have been there. It is a phenomenal building. It will be fantastic when it is open, but it is a very expensive design in its nature. There are not many straight walls. They are all curved, and they are expensive, as I understand it. There are many other features too which are pretty impressive, but we will benefit from them. All those issues need to be taken on board.