asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the delay in the building of an experimental creamery in University College, Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - UCC Experimental Creamery.
44.
University College, Cork, were informed in March, 1967, that State expenditure of £505,565 based on their estimate of the cost of the expansion of the Dairy Science Faculty had been approved. Drawings were received, and approved, in August, 1967. Demolition work commenced in July, 1968. Foundation and piling work commenced early in 1969, and I understand that this work has been virtually completed, though at a cost greatly in excess of the original estimate.
The lowest tender for the main construction work was received from UCC for approval in September, 1969. This showed that the total would now be nearly double the amount originally approved, and a detailed re-assessment was, therefore, necessary. This gave rise to questions which involved correspondence with the college up to August, 1970. In October, 1970, it was necessary to ask for additional detailed information, which was furnished by the college in December, 1970. Certain aspects of the proposals have been under examination in consultation with the Departments of Finance and Education in the light of the additional information furnished, and I am informed that there will be no avoidable delay. The Deputy will appreciate that, where expenditure of this kind is going to exceed very substantially the amount originally approved, regard must be had to the principle of the importance of careful planning and realistic estimates in relation to projects financed directly from public funds, where bodies such as the universities rely to a very large extent on public finance for capital projects.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the event of this creamery not being completed in time the authorities in UCC are liable to lose $500,000 allocated by the Kellogg Foundation for post-graduate work? This would be a very serious loss not only to UCC but to the entire country.
There will not be any avoidable delay in this matter.
The way we are going it will not be built by 1980.