UP IN SMOKE
Government to shell out €1.5million on chimneys that can never be used
TAXPAYERS are forking out €1.5million to refurbish chimneys at Leinster House that can never be used.
The revelation comes days after the Irish Mirror reported the Central Bank splashed out €130,000 on a light shade.
Fianna Fail blasted: “What we’re seeing here is another example of extravagance creeping into Government projects.”
LEINSTER House is to spend €1.5million refurbishing chimneys, but will not be allowed to light fires for health and safety reasons.
Taxpayers will see their hard-earned cash go up in smoke on fixing 28 ageing chimneys and flues.
The expose comes just days after the Irish Mirror reported another organ of the State, the Central Bank, had splashed out €130,000 on a fancy light shade for its new headquarters.
Fianna Fail’s expenditure spokesman Dara Calleary blasted: “What we’re seeing here again is another example of extravagance creeping into Government projects, that is just not acceptable. We need to send out the clear message to the public that this can’t happen.
“There are far more worthy areas that need prioritising without seeing a waste of taxpayers’ money like this.
“Couldn’t the €1.5million be far better spend tackling the terrible homelessness crisis this Christmas, or the health service which is stretched to capacity all the time now?
“The State needs to be mindful of expenditure and can’t be seen to be extravagant when people are struggling in so many ways.” Documents obtained by the Irish Mirror provide a detailed breakdown of just how so much will be spent on repairing chimneys and fireplaces.
The total costs for fixing the 28 chimneys is estimated at €1,450,000, with “reserved specialists” required for each of the following four areas – chimney piece cleaning and repair, €200,000, stonework cleaning and repair, €750,000, copper and slate work, €350,000 and lead work at €150,000.
The tender document further states: “This is in relation to the carrying out of repairs to include restoration, cleaning, repair and replication of historic chimney pieces. Fire back and hearth works will form part of the chimney piece element. Flue and timber hearth supports associated with chimney pieces will be by the contractor.”
The budget for the complete refurbishment of Leinster House has been set at €8million and it is expected to take more than a year to complete.
A spokesman for the Office of Public Works, which is managing the refurbishment project, confirmed this.
He said: “The work requirements provide for the restoration of the fireplaces and chimneys during this conservation and restoration project.
“However, given the onerous fire safety requirements that would have arisen, it was not envisaged, nor is it provided for in this programme of works, that such restoration would result in fully serviceable fireplaces post completion.”