Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2021 Appropriation Account and chapter from C&AG’s 2021 Report with OPW

The meeting in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and representatives of the OPW led by the Chairman Maurice Buckley to examine:

Appropriation Account 2021: Vote 13 Office of Public Works;

C&AG Report on the Accounts of the Public Services 2021: Chapter 8: Contract payments in respect of Convention Centre Dublin.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The OPW, which comes under the aegis of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, manages most of the State's property portfolio, including approximately 550 owned and rented Government offices and 700 Garda properties. It also oversees National Monuments and directly manages some heritage properties. It is also the lead State engineering agency, with a special focus on flood risk management.

“OPW’s total gross expenditure in 2021 amounted to €493 million, with €393 million spent on estate management and the remaining €100 million for flood management. Areas of interest to the Committee including spending on the flood risk management programme, specifically relating to capital projects, and coastal and river erosion.

“The Committee is also interested in examining expenditure on property maintenance and supplies, non-compliant procurement in excess of €20 million and the continuing operation of a maintenance contract where the expenditure incurred is significantly greater than envisaged, as well as the impact of pandemic on rental portfolio, and legal costs last year. 

“Members will also seek an update on the development of the new Garda Metropolitan Headquarters for Dublin and the relocation of Garda units and personnel from Harcourt Square to the new facility at Military Road.

“Finally, we wish to further examine the C&AG’s report on contract payments in respect of the Convention Centre Dublin, which was developed under a public-private partnership to attract international conference delegates and increasing tourism revenues, but which saw its operations seriously impacted by travel and other restrictions due to the pandemic.

“The Committee looks forward to meeting with Mr Buckley and his colleagues to examine these and related matters.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.