Backweston lab upgrade will boost diagnostic reputation
The laboratory is being completed at the Department of Agriculture’s laboratory complex at Backweston, Co Kildare.
The infrastructure there supports diagnostic, regulatory and research and development functions.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said a pre-existing laboratory space has been ameliorated to achieve the highest attainable international standard of bio-containment, which is the Australia-New Zealand BSL4 standard.
“This decision followed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK in 2007 which was associated with the escape of virus from the Pirbright laboratory facility,” said the minister.
A US engineering firm which specialises in building and retrofitting containment laboratories was retained on contract to oversee the design, building and commissioning of the laboratory.
The company’s proposed building solution was implemented and tested in one part of the laboratory, and the heat treatment and drainage system was redesigned.
The total cost of this preparatory work was €954,080.
The tendered cost of the main building works was €4.9m excluding VAT. However additional costs of €1.07m have accrued due to specification or working method changes, or due to unforeseen circumstances.
During the construction works, an underlying issue within the fabric of the original building was discovered — which did not affect the stability of the structure, but had the potential to compromise containment.
This required an engineering solution, and was associated with project delays which cost €219,572.
The additional costs also included €853,790 (excluding Vat) for variations to bolster the building’s air-tightness and security, as well as to enhance integration with building controls.
Mr Creed offered this updated information on the Kildare laboratory in a Dáil reply to Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon.
