OPW Minister refuses to be drawn on Portlaoise Garda Station cost

Despite the Department of Justice’s publication of a €51 million figure last month, the Minister with responsibility for the OPW says he can’t reveal the cost of the new Laois Offaly Garda Divisional Headquarters.

Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran was asked about the project in a Parliamentary Question by Independent Laois TD Brian Stanley on October 21. The question follows a report in the Leinster Express/Laois Live showing the estimated budget of €25 million for the new station outlined in 2021 by Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan, has now more than doubled to €51 million.  

The main contractor Duggan Brothers, who are on site working on the project in Portlaoise, published their own contract figure of €34 million earlier this year but the Office of Public Works(OPW) said Duggan Brothers’ figure was ‘incorrect’. 

Duggan Brothers removed the €34 million figure from their webpage and told the Leinster Express/Laois Live that they had referred the matter to their quantity surveying department on October 17 for a reply. They have yet to reply with an actual contract figure.   

Pictured above: Duggan Brothers had stated that it was a €34 million contract

On October 8, 2025, Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan announced a total of €5.78 billion in current expenditure and €390 million in capital investment for 2026.  The largest ever budget allocated to the justice sector. Portlaoise Garda Station was listed in “budget highlights” among other capital spending listed by the Department.   

“Construction will also advance on the €18m Newcastle West, and €51m Portlaoise Garda Stations, with construction of new stations at Macroom and Clonmel commencing in the coming weeks. A new PEMS store at Tallaght will also advance next year,” the Department stated. 

In May of 2021, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Patrick O’Donovan replied to a question from Brian Stanley TD in relation to the new Laois Offaly Garda Headquarters. “The total project budget is estimated to be in the region of €25m,” Dep O’Donovan said at the time. 

Last week Dep Stanley asked Minister with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran about for “the budget allocation and full contract cost for construction works and refurbishment of Portlaoise Garda Station; and if he will make a statement on the matter.” 

In reply, Minister Moran said works were progressing on site in Portlaoise.

“The scope of the project comprises several elements; the refurbishment and multi-storey extension of an existing building, the construction of a substantial new building and all of the associated preparatory works and site completion works.

The budget allocation includes the cost of the construction works as contracted and all other development costs, as such it is not possible to publish this material until such time as the contract has been concluded,” Minister Moran stated. 

Dep Stanley wasn't happy with the answer. "We are left with three figures. We see €51 million in the budget, €34 million also, it started with €25 million and we have an answer that is no answer," he said.

He questioned how the OPW was unable to give an indicative figure for the project Portlaoise Garda Station works which are well underway when it is quoting €50 million for the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme that has yet to begin. 

"I don't see why for the life of me they don't give an indicative figure," he said. He said such a figure would leave leeway for additional or unforseen works. 

"It doesn't auger well for accountability in terms of public finances," said Dep Stanley.