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Capital Expenditure Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1241)

Richard Bruton

Question:

1241. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of her Department which have required her sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14782/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the largest infrastructural capital projects in the Justice Sector currently are the:

1. Redevelopment of Limerick Prison

2. Construction of a new forensic science laboratory

3. Construction of a new Garda Control and Operations Centre

Further information regarding each of these projects is as follows:

Redevelopment of Limerick Prison

This project will provide upgrade works to the male prison and a new female wing at Limerick prison.  The Project was initiated in June 2014.  Planning approval was granted in February 2016.  The procurement process concluded in July 2018.  Due to a legal a challenge, construction did not commence until February 2019. The project is progressing well and while impacted by COVID restrictions is expected to be completed by end 2021 within budget. 

Construction of a new forensic science laboratory

This project will provide Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) with a new modern forensic laboratory in Backweston in Co. Kildare. The Project was initiated informally in late 2008 with OPW evaluating possible sites for a new FSI Lab with the site at Backweston being recommended in March 2009.  Planning approval was granted in March 2010.  Due to the financial crisis, the project was suspended in 2011 and recommenced in mid-2017. The procurement process for a modern laboratory incorporating up to date standards commenced in mid-2019 and concluded in March 2020.  Construction commenced in March 2020 and notwithstanding the impact of the COVID restrictions is due to complete in July 2022.   

Construction of a new Garda Control and Operations Centre

This project will provide a new Garda Control and Operations Centre at Military Road, Dublin 8.  Discussions between OPW and An Garda Siochána on the decant from Harcourt Square were initiated in 2013 with Military Road identified as the new location in November 2015.   Planning approval was granted in August 2018.  The procurement process commenced in mid-2019 and concluded in February 2020.  Construction commenced in March 2020 and is due to complete by end September 2022.  The project is on time and within budget. 

The significant elements of the assessment process for the above projects included the following broad stages:

- Preparation of preliminary business case

- Assessment of preliminary business case

- Design phase and agreement of final design

- Approval to proceed to final business case

- Assessment of final business case

- Approval to proceed to tender

- Procurement process including evaluation of tenders

- Selection of preferred bidder

- Updating of business case with final tender figure

- Approval by sanctioning authority of final business case

- DPER technical review and approval of Government, where appropriate

It should be noted that the Forensic Science Laboratory and the Garda Control and Operations Centres are being completed in conjunction with OPW as the contracting authority.

In addition, three Garda Divisional Headquarters buildings in Galway city, Kevin Street, Dublin 8 and Wexford town with a respective cost of €30.9m, €35.7m and €26.6m became operational in June 2018, April 2018 and September 2017 respectively.

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