Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons behind the higher than expected cost of renovating the Palm House at the Botanic Gardens in north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The OPW undertook the restoration of the Palm House at the Botanic Gardens on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am glad to report that restoration of the Palm House was completed on time and well within budget.

The Department of Finance sanctioned a total project budget of €16.71 million, which included for the restoration works, contingency, professional fees, planning fees and 1% for art, for the project. The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland placed a contract in the sum of €13,148,125 inclusive of VAT and bond with John Paul Construction Limited. As the works progressed it became apparent, when account had been taken of necessary extras and variations that there was going to be a significant saving, estimated at €0.25 million, on the total project budget of €16.71 million. Accordingly, the OPW recommended that the adjacent Camillia House be restored as part of the Palm House contract. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government endorsed the recommendation as it was considered to be the most cost effective method of dealing with it. In addition, that Department was of the view that this project would have had to be undertaken sooner or later. This represented good value for money as the existing contractor had developed the expertise and had the appropriate skills to carry out the restoration work. Moreover, if the restoration of the Camillia House was to be deferred, the existing glasshouse would have been very obvious and would have taken from the restoration of the Palm House itself.

Accordingly, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government asked OPW to proceed with the restoration of the Camillia House. It undertook to provide the additional funds estimated at €0.5 million to complete these restoration works. The Department also contributed to additional works to the paths, internal and external topsoiling. I am pleased to say that the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland awarded the project an Irish Architecture 2004 award in May 2004.