A project by the Office of Public Works (OPW) to replace a wall at the Workplace Relations Commission in Dublin ended up costing more than twice the original estimate, reaching over €490,000.
The 70-metre wall at Lansdowne House in Ballsbridge was initially expected to cost around €200,000, excluding VAT. However, unforeseen complications, including a live high-voltage ESB cable and a leaking water pipe, led to significant delays and extra expenses.
While the demolition and rebuilding of the wall aligned with the OPW’s initial estimates at around €240,000, addressing the electricity cable alone added over €250,000 to the bill.
The OPW confirmed “very significant delays as well as increased costs,” including €54,000 paid to ESB for rerouting the cable and €61,500 to Dublin City Council for footpath and parking closures.
The OPW has faced criticism over escalating costs in public projects, with recent controversies including a €336,000 bike shelter at Leinster House and a €1.4 million security shelter at Government Buildings.
The rising price tags of government-funded projects have sparked calls for greater accountability and cost control in public spending.
