All costs included in €7.6 million Portlaoise library bill - Laois CEO
The total cost of opening the doors on the new Portlaoise library has run to €7.6 milion, over three times the 2015 €2.3m estimated bill.
However, Laois County Council's CEO John Mulholland said original €2.3m estimate was just a “ballpark to get it on the funding track”.
“They were estimates that were put out there to get the ball rolling. Before there was any detailed design or any brief given out for architects,” he told the Leinster Express.
“It was only in 2019 after we’d appointed the architect and they got through the design of what you see here, that’s the first real estimate. I think that was about €4.2m. Then the tenders came in shortly after at €4.35m. That’s for construction only.
“The €7.6m includes VAT, it includes everything, from site purchase to books, digitisation. The cost of construction is a subset of that,” the CEO said.
He said that a review of the project which began in 2013 with the purchase of Shaws would be carried out.
“We always do post project reviews of large capital projects. It’s taken on various fronts, the code of public spending, an internal audit and I’m sure the Dept of Community and Rural Development will have a look back as well. We have ongoing engagement with the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as regards expenditure,” the Laois CEO added.
He said a decision had to be made.
“Elected members had to consider long and hard the provision of the library vis a vis housing and their decision was pivotal”.
He also told the opening: “Every euro accounted for”.
The cost was defended by Minister for Rural & Community Development Heather Humphreys. She spoketo the Leinster Express after unveiling the plaque on Monday, July 17.
“Across the country we’re seeing capital projects coming in more expensive than was initially thought because the cost of the construction has gone up and there’s been a number of issues with the supply chain.
“I think when you look around at this investment, it is for the future of this town and for the people who live in it. I think it is well spent money, and I know it has taken some time to acquire the site and there’s been a number of different stages.
“If you were starting again I’m quite sure it would cost an awful lot more than the €7.5m that has been invested in it.
“This isn’t just about a library, it’s about the whole town here. This is the centre of this town. This is breathing new life into this town and repurposing old buildings for 21st century use.
“If I was living in Portlaoise, I’d be very glad to see this wonderful building, I’d be very proud,” Minister Humphreys said.
She said she was delighted her department was able to fund €3.1m of the cost.
Another €2.1m came from the Department of Housing via the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund, with the council paying the remaining €2.4m.