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

Question 224: To ask the Minister for Finance 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. [39525/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's vote had one capital project in the period to which the Deputy refers where the final cost out-turn exceeded the initial cost estimate. In October 2004, my Department commenced a project to build and fit out a crèche for 80 children in Cork at an estimated cost of €2.5 million as part of the Civil Service child care initiative. The Office of Public Works subsequently advised that a larger crèche catering for 135 children would represent better value for money. In addition, changes to the layout of the ground floor were required to comply with amendments to HSE regulations which occurred after work on the project had commenced. These changes are expected to bring the total cost to €4.4 million when the project is completed in 2009. I have been advised by the following offices under the aegis of my Department that, in the period in question, there were no occasions on which capital projects for which they are or were responsible exceeded their budget: the Commission for Public Service Appointments, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Office of the Appeals Commissioner, the Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Public Appointments Service, the State Laboratory and the Valuation Office. The Office of Public Works has been responsible for several hundred capital projects in the relevant period. In the time available, it has been unable to collate the information sought. I have asked that office to communicate the relevant information direct to the Deputy.