Vol. 533 No. 6
41 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if he will give the latest figure available to his Department for the estimated cost of relocating State facilities and public servants currently based at the Abbotstown site for the proposed Campus/Stadium Ireland; if he will give a breakdown of the different elements making up this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9741/01]
It is proposed to transfer the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development laboratories and the State laboratory from Abbotstown to Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare. The estimated cost of the new facilities at Backweston is £157 million, including site works, construction costs, design team fees, VAT, inflation, etc.. This level of investment is necessary in order that the State can provide modern state of the art laboratory facilities comparable to the best international standards. Irrespective of the location of the laboratories I further emphasise the investment is essential to ensure the State can guarantee the highest level of food safety and consumer protection.
The Marine Institute laboratories are being moved to Galway in addition to transferring the State laboratory to Backweston. While a comprehensive estimate of the cost of moving the institute laboratories must await the acquisition of a site and establishment of a detailed brief of requirements, the estimated construction costs of the facilities at Galway is £31 million, which includes inflation, fees, VAT etc.
The Minister of State informed me previously that expressions of interest were sought and obtained by 8 January last and that he was awaiting outline bids before being able to accurately assess the total cost of the project. Has he received any information regarding the outline bids?
The process has been ongoing and we have not finalised the detail of the information that has been received. We have received some information. All the assessments are being examined in the Department. I am confident the figure I have outlined will be adhered to. I emphasise that irrespective of where the facilities are relocated the costs would be the same and it is important to consider that. The major advantage of moving is that state of the art facilities will be constructed on a green field site. It is also cost-effective for the State because by putting the laboratories together a campus of excellence will be created and facilities such as libraries and conference centres can be put in place which will be available to all the laboratories instead of replicating everything for each laboratory. The facilities will measure up to US and European standards and modern requirements. This is evidenced by the foot and mouth disease problem, which has brought the urgency of this proposal to the fore. The project is proceeding within the time frame I outlined.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
