A government audit has revealed significant cost overruns totaling €39.4 million across four Dublin City Council “rapid-build” housing projects, prompting demands for accountability from local councillors.
Key findings from the audit:
- Original combined budget of €88.5M rose to €127.5M
- Projects delivered 263 homes across four locations
- Consultancy fees exceeded original estimates by up to 93%
- Significant delays in project completion, some taking up to six years
The affected developments include:
- Bunratty Road, Coolock
- Cork Street, city centre
- Bonham Street, Dublin 8
- Springvale, Chapelizod
Labour Councillor Darragh Moriarty criticized the projects, stating: “These were the rapid-builds that weren’t so rapid and cost a fortune. They were supposed to be quicker, supposed to be cheaper and turned out to be neither in the end.”
Dublin City Council attributed the overruns to “extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances” and challenges with implementing modern construction methods. The council’s housing director cited “cross over roles” across sites as a contributing factor.
Independent Councillor John Lyons called the figures “shocking” and demanded further investigation, particularly regarding the Bunratty Road project where consultancy fees increased 64% from €879,000 to €1.4 million.
According to The Journal, the council’s assistant chief executive for housing, Mick Mulhern, promised a “lessons learned” report in the coming weeks, noting that the experience is “already starting to inform work” on other projects.
The developments were built in partnership with construction company Sisk, which has not responded to requests for comment about the delays.