The OPW has doubled down on its defence of the €1.4 million cost of the new security hut at the Department of Finance.
In a statement this morning, the Office of Public Works (OPW) said the hut is a “critical piece of infrastructure for the essential security of the Government buildings complex”.
It noted that the hut also had to comply with planning permission requiring the project to be “executed to the highest standards” due to its setting in the “historic area” around Government Buildings.
The OPW has also released a cost breakdown for the project revealing that:
- The structure itself cost €282,231
- The mechanical, electrical and security systems for the hut cost: €558,118
- The temporary relocation of the security hut while works were carried out cost €190,169
- Design team fees came to €121,219
- The ‘art scheme’ cost €11,416
“The Office of Public Works acknowledges the public concern and political scrutiny about the high costs of the security pavilion at Government Buildings and the frustration and anger this has caused,” the OPW statement reads.
It notes that the project was launched after a Garda security review identified weaknesses in the Government Buildings’ security system and recommended action.
A view of the security hut outside the Department of Finance, 25-09-2024.“This security facility is the main access point for vehicles accessing the campus and is the vetting area for several critical locations within the complex,” said the OPW.
“This is a critical piece of infrastructure for the essential security of the Government buildings complex.
“Security at Government Buildings has become an increasingly serious issue in recent years.
“There have been several incidents in the complex, including vehicles ramming the gates of Leinster House in September 2010 and the gates of Government Buildings in August 2024.”
Dept of Finance security hut cost €1.429 million, OPW chairman tells Committee
'There is a huge security element to this project' pic.twitter.com/XKsK2emtkv
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 25, 2024
It said that the hut’s eye-catching roof design ensures that all the heating, lighting and ventilation system are in the roof, which creates additional space at floor level.
Meanwhile, the hut had to be fully integrated with the Government Buildings campus-wide power, communications, data, life safety, security and CCTV systems.
A “significant amount” of complex underground services also had to be rerouted to the hut.
The contract went out to a “full and competitive open tender” which was eventually awarded to the McKeon group.
