Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
393. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason that capital net Voted expenditure in her Department was €12 million, 46.1% behind profile at the end of October 2013; if she expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47907/13]
View answerA total of €25.76m in capital funding is available to my Department for 2013 and over 80% of this relates to the development of the National Children's Detention facility at Oberstown in Co. Dublin.
When profiling this expenditure at the start of this year, it was anticipated that the building work would begin earlier than has actually been the case. This was primarily due to detailed contractual discussions and negotiations and I am happy to confirm that building work has now started. However, as a result of these timing issues, the cash flow for the project has been adjusted and it is now anticipated that only €10m will be expended in 2013 as opposed to the original estimate of over €20m. It is still expected that 3 new units will be delivered by the 3rd quarter in 2014 to prioritise the accommodation of 17 year old boys currently the responsibility of the Irish Prison Service. The remaining units, to replace existing buildings, will be delivered by the 3rd quarter 2015. The overall project cost will not be impacted on by this cash flow adjustment with the balance of overall funding now being required in 2014 and 2015 to meet contractual commitments.
