€3.3m on botched plan for pathology service
Seven years on from the idea first being agreed, a half-built structure on the site of the city morgue in Marino had to be demolished on health and safety grounds. Almost €2m of costs went to consultants.
“Because of delays relating to planning, procurement and the buildingcontractor going into receivership, the project was ultimately abandoned,” theComptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) found.
A suitable site is being considered for a scaled down medico-legal centre – the old Whitehall garda station in north Dublin.
The C&AG report said the Department of Justice and Dublin City Council had made a significant financial outlay. It said despite this no new premises are available for the StatePathology Service and the Dublin Coroner’s Office and staff are still usingprefabricated cabins at the morgue. Members of the public have complained about conditions.
Some of the delays, included a year-long planning issue over location of the new pathology centre, next to the 18th century Casino in Marino, and the construction company signed to the deal going bust four months into the build.
The plug was pulled last year after the department said it did not have themoney.
The C&AG called on the department to review its project risk assessment and in response the department agreed.
