A controversial public building project in Waterford will cost millions more to complete than originally estimated, according to documents presented to an Oireachtas committee.
The National Hurling and Camogie Centre planned at Waterford Institute of Education was estimated to cost €9.7m, but figures now reveal the cost of the project is closer to €15m.
Just over eight years ago, work began on a new sports campus at Carriganore in Waterford as part of the local institute's development plans and the initial phases were completed at a cost of €8.5 million.
Phase three (due to cost €9.7m) was to consist of a multi-purpose sports arena, and in 2012, WIT and the GAA announced it would be home to the new National Hurling and Camogie Centre.
But financing issues within the college arose after €6.5m had been spent and the building is still lying idle, not having been completed.
The building has been mothballed and is now what is known as a distressed asset.
Documents prepared for the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts now show that building company SISK has been paid an additional €800,000 for losses and expenses, and that while €7.3m has been spent on the project to date, with the new estimates, another €7.5m will be needed to finish it now.
WIT has not commented on the matter.
