The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the capital projects valued in excess of €10m completed by my Department since 1st January 2014 is set out in the following table.
Project
|
Initial Contract Value
|
Final Cost
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Phase 3 of the Master Development Plan of the National Gallery of Ireland including refurbishment of the Dargan and Milltown Wings (Awarded 2014 and Completed in 2017)
|
€31.4m
|
€31.7m subject to final account
|
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible to provide a final outturn cost where work is ongoing on establishing the final account.
In April 2018, I was pleased to announce details of the ten year plan, “Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027” setting out the Government’s commitment for capital investment of almost €1.2 billion in Ireland’s culture, heritage and language infrastructure as part of Project Ireland 2040 and I can assure the House that capital projects are appraised, planned, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management framework published by the Office of Government Procurement.
Under this programme my Department is currently providing support for two major capital projects: a four-year redevelopment of the National Library of Ireland involving the upgrading of the East and West Wings of the Library, and the provision of a secure environmentally-controlled archival repository at the National Archives. The projects are being carried out by the Office of Public Works in partnership with the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives.
Following completion of the first phase of the redevelopment project last June, the National Library is now preparing to commence the second phase of the project.
In respect of the National Archives, I am advised that it is intended to undertake the tender for the National Archives Repository Redevelopment over the coming months.