This new information about capital projects that cost in excess of €10 million has been released to Fianna Fáil's Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath. The Education Minister said the Department carefully manages and controls costs on all projects to ensure the best possible outcome.
The biggest single one was the redevelopment of St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny which was first estimated to cost €13.1 million but the final figure was €20.1 million. An upgrade of Galway University Hospital also cost €2.5 million more than the first tender price. Cost overruns have sparked much political controversy recently given the €450 million extra required to build the National Children's Hospital.
Deputy McGrath said the National Children's’ Hospital costs were extraordinary in scale but there is a pattern of projects running over budget. He has passed on this latest information to the State's spending watchdog the Comptroller and Auditor General.
6 - 10% is not the problem, consultants not including for fire safety & IT systems is ?