asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate whether (1) he has now satisfied himself that the building contractor for the new hospital at Gurranebraher, Cork, is in a position to proceed with the erection and completion of this hospital in the stipulated time; (2) the sub-contractors are making satisfactory progress in the mechanical and electrical work, and (3) any further alterations in plans are contemplated by his Department, and further, if he will state the estimated extra cost due to delay of sub-contracts, viz., amount of fines paid to builder, increase of wages and increased cost of materials.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gurranebraher Hospital.
(1) Until such time as sub-contracts are signed for the electrical and mechanical installations and a definite programme is drawn up for the remaining stages of the work, it is difficult to make any estimate as to the time required for the completion of the undertaking. As the Deputy is aware, the building contractor has already been granted an extension of time of nine months for the execution of the work.
(2) Due to difficulties which have arisen about the form of the subcontract agreements, these agreements have not yet been signed in the case of the proposed sub-contractors for the electrical and the mechanical installations and, unfortunately, as a consequence, work on these installations has not yet commenced. I am hopeful that these sub-contracts will be signed without further delay.
(3) No further alterations in plans are contemplated by my Department. As to the extra cost of the work arising out of delay in placing the sub-contracts for the mechanical and electrical installations, I am not in a position to give any estimate. I should add, however, that no payment by way of fine has been made to the builder.
Is the Minister not aware that the delay of nine months as agreed to by the architect constitutes a sum of practically £6,000 and that the Minister's reply now points out that that dilemma is still continuing? Would he try to place responsibility for the delay in signing the sub-contracts in the first instance on the people responsible and let the public know who, whether it is the corporation officials or departmental officials, are responsible for this delay?
I am trying to get it expedited as far as possible.