Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the €123 million allocation in 2019 for the Hawkins House project; the date in 2019 the project is expected to begin; if it will be impacted by the cost overrun on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6910/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering Project Ireland 2040 within the overall multi-year resource envelope that has been set out. For 2019, the capital allocation has increased by €1,325 million or just over 22% above the 2018 allocation as stated in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019. With regard to implications arising from the National Children’s Hospital project, the Government is currently considering how the additional cost pressures will be accommodated within the multi-year envelope, with a minimum of disruption to the planned rollout and delivery of important infrastructure projects under Project Ireland 2040, which I am pleased to report are proceeding at a strong rate.
There is a provision of €2.5 million included in the OPW Capital Allocation for new works in 2019 for the Hawkins House project. However, this provision relates solely to the demolition of the existing building on the site. The allocation of €123 million referred to in the Deputy's question relates to an Office of Public Works 2017 submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform seeking capital funding under the National Development Plan. No specific allocation was made to OPW for the redevelopment of the Hawkins House site in response to that submission. The OPW is currently carrying out an options appraisal on the future of the Hawkins House Site. I anticipate that this process will be completed over the coming months and will inform a decision on the future of the site. The outcome of this exercise will be significantly influenced by the availability of sufficient capital funding for building new office accommodation and projected demand for civil service office accommodation in the area.
