Public Accounts Committee chairman Brian Stanley has said that the latest report from the State's spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), has highlighted a number of areas that PAC will examine further.
Mr Stanley referenced spending on flood risk management, the delivery of Rapid Build Housing, protecting the State's investment in the schools estate, exceptional State funding to the Peter McVerry Trust, and the Health Service Executive’s integrated financial management system.
The report looks at the rapid build programme as part of the Government’s response to provide accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection.
It found that the initial projected cost was an estimated €200,000 per residential unit in June 2022, increasing to an average projected cost per unit of around €436,000 by June 2024 - an increase of almost 120%.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth's latest total programme cost projections of €289.3m, indicate a final projected average cost per unit of around €442,000.
"A significant factor impacting the cost outturn and delivery timelines was the lack of availability of suitable sites and insufficient provision for the cost of site preparation works," Mr Stanley said.
"The programme is being delivered using a 'cost reimbursable’ contract put in place by OPW, whereby the State bears most of the project risk. No credible and long-term use for the modular units has yet been determined," he added.
The Public Accounts Committee is due to meet on Thursday to discuss scheduling meetings to examine the issues highlighted by the C&AG report.
