Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 432: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will provide an estimate of the cost of legal services which his Department paid for in 2007 and to date in 2008; and if he has satisfied himself that effective measures are in place to minimise this cost. [39307/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The amounts that my Department has paid since its establishment in June 2002 in respect of the cost of legal services for 2007 and to date in 2008, and related information, are set out in the appendix. I am satisfied that effective measures are in place to minimise the cost of legal fees.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 433: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of capital projects which have gone over budget in each of the past five years; the original estimate for each of these projects; the final cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39520/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Funding is provided for capital projects under a number of schemes operated by my Department. Details of these funding schemes are available on the Department's website, www.pobail.ie.

In the past 5 years, a total of 5 capital projects went over budget. In relation to 2005 and 2006, no projects went over budget. The details relating to projects that went over budget in 2004, 2007 and to date in 2008 are provided in the following appendix.

My Department also provides capital funding to various local authorities for infrastructural improvement works in the Gaeltacht. The question of budget over-runs is a matter for the relevant local authorities. I can inform the Deputy however, that in the last five years (2003-2007) my Department has not approved any additional funding for over-runs to any individual project with an original estimated price of €100,000 or more.

My Department also has contractual commitments in respect of two major capital projects i.e. Inishbofin and Cleggan airstrips. In regard to Inishbofin airstrip, the original contract price was €2,152,820. This was later increased to €2,838,000 following negotiation of a lump-sum fixed-price agreement. The project is nearing completion and the contractor has been asked to carry out some additional minor works at an estimated cost of €50,000. Associated consultancy costs in respect of this project amount to €137,152.

Finally, minor capital works have been undertaken by Implementing Bodies under the Rural Social Scheme. A number of such projects have gone over budget by relatively small amounts (ranging from €100 to less than €3,000). The question of any additional expenditure in such cases is a matter for the Implementing Bodies with no extra cost to the Department.