asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the original estimated cost sanctioned by his Department for the erection of a county hospital at Tullamore, County Offaly; the amount already paid or claimed to be due to contractors, engineers and architects up to August 31st, 1941; the time fixed for the completion of the work, and whether any penalty clause was included in the contract, and, if so, whether the Offaly County Board of Health has at any time made any recommendation that the penalty clause should be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore County Hospital.
The original estimated cost of the Tullamore Hospital was £89,561. An estimate of the cost of a work is not regarded as a fixed sum that is subject to sanction.
The amount already paid to contractors, architect and engineer up to 13th August, 1941, was £80,702 12s. 2d. The amount of retention money at the same date was £3,636 19s.
As regards the amounts claimed to be still due, it is understood that prospective liabilities would bring the total expenditure to approximately £101,000. In addition, a special claim of £12,820 was submitted to the board on 2nd September by the building contractor.
The date originally fixed for completion of the work was 20th July, 1938. A penalty clause was included in the contract, but there is no information as to whether it is proposed by the board to take action under that clause.