Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 1

Written Answers. - Refurbishment of Leinster House.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

67 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the current programme of refurbishment of Leinster House; the estimated cost of, in particular, the painting and redecorating, the restoration of the stonework on the Kildare Street facade and the fire precautions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16767/96]

Mary Harney

Ceist:

80 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the current programme of refurbishment of Leinster House; the estimated cost of, in particular, the painting and redecorating, the restoration of the stonework on the Kildare Street facade and the fire precautions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16766/96]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

142 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the total cost of the renovation works currently being carried out to Leinster House; the work, if any, which has been contracted out; if all such contracts were put to public tender; the estimated total cost of all such works to Leinster House in 1996: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16664/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Coveney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 80 and 142 together. The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that, as part of the ongoing programme of works in Leinster House, three separate contracts were placed this summer. These were as follows:

	Contract Amount
	£
Fire Protection Works	330,525
Stone Restoration	171,000
Refurbishment of Members' and Visitors' Bars	388,036

Painting and decoration works were also carried out by the Office of Public Works Building Maintenance Service at a cost of £50,800. The areas redecoratted included the entrance hall and the Dáil stairs both of which had last been painted in 1982. The total estimated cost of projects undertaken this year in Leinster House is therefore £940,361. Phase one of a major fire safety project was undertaken this summer. This included the fitting of over 200 fire doors and the creation of new escape routes from Leinster House and the 1932 annex. Next year work will involve upgrading the fire alarm system and new signage.

The final phase of the restoration of the stonework on the Kildare Street facade has been largely completed. Due to the shortening of the summer recess, work to the ground floor windows and door and tinting of the new stonework has been deferred until the Christmas recess. The refurbishment of the bars forms the final phase of a three year programme of upgrading restaurant and bar facilities for Members, staff and visitors. Selective tendering is considered the most appropriate method of procurement in security sensitive areas such as Leinster House. Accordingly, only specially selected contractors who have previously carried out work in security sensitive areas were invited to tender.