Mr. Francis Doherty:

The original query the Deputy had was around the review of properties and costs. Properties were being bought at a validated open market rate but the cost of the works was being substantially underestimated because proper due diligence was not being done. If you take on a social housing project, there would be a technical team and handle professional services involved. This almost seemed to be a rough estimate and those involved knowing that they could always go back and ask for more at a later date.

The issue around the underbidding was really a matter for how the funders reviewed it, but it definitely did stand out. There have been numerous publications and research in respect of certain contracts, such as those relating to housing first, where it has been demonstrated that in order to deliver the service at the level agreed, it would have cost the trust at least €1 million more than it was getting from the DRHE for that service in Dublin alone.