Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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354. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by his Department in each of the past 6 years and to date in 2017 in respect of construction projects and other capital projects; the way in which he monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms he employs to establish this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11537/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works provides my Department with office accommodation for its offices in Ireland.

In the case of our offices abroad, the Department does undertake construction projects to maintain those properties which the State owns and, in the case of leased properties, would carry out necessary maintenance to ensure lease requirements are adhered to.

These projects would be smaller, short term and in conjunction with national procurement guidelines, openly tendered in the local market for the work as required. Therefore the cost reflects the cost of construction at the current market rate so the impact of construction inflation is not felt. Most of the construction projects overseas are on a fixed cost basis and cost control is a major element of project management.