Cost to restore Cork's fireman’s rest hits €361k after consultancy fees added on

Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, said: 'I cannot wrap my head around how almost €5,000 was spent on scaffolding for a hut that’s not even eight feet tall.'

The restored 'Fireman's Rest' on Anglesea St. Picture: Darragh Kane

The cost of restoring the historic fireman’s hut in Cork City has actually hit €361,000 — some €35,000 more than what was reported last month.

It is understood the higher figure is because Cork City Council was only asked for details on certain construction spending in the Freedom of Information (FOI) request it responded to in January, and that the latest figures contain consultancy fees as well, and represent the full and final cost of the restoration project.

The latest figures released under FOI to Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, have been branded "scandalous" and prompted calls for councillors to have a greater role in council spending.

“In 2024, we were told it would be in the region of €300,000,” Mr Gould said.

“It was confirmed as €326,000 in January and four weeks later, the cost has grown by another near €40,000. Who is overseeing this project? How is the cost now increasing by €10,000 a week? What is the actual final cost of this project?

“I cannot wrap my head around how almost €5,000 was spent on scaffolding for a hut that’s not even eight feet tall. Almost €20,000 was spent on conservation consultants.

“That is mind-blowing. The council has to answer questions about how these decisions were reached.

“There are people in this city living in mouldy, damp conditions. The council is their landlord. If we saw a private landlord spending money like that while they left their tenants in rotting homes, people would be shocked and rightly so.

“That money could have been better used to repair footpaths, upgrade parks and playgrounds, fix people’s homes or invest that could have real economic benefits to Cork City.” 

The 130-year-old Fireman’s Rest was commissioned by the then Cork Corporation in early 1892 and was installed on St Patrick’s Street as a city centre base for on-duty firefighters, who shared it with staff of the old tram company between 1898 and 1930, until it was used exclusively by CIE bus drivers from 1931 to 2003.

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It was removed for the street revamp over 20 years ago, and was left in a council storage yard in Fitzgerald’s Park, where it deteriorated badly.

The restoration was underway in November 2023, and the Irish Examiner reported in February 2024 that the costs had topped €200,000 but could go as high as €300,000. 

It emerged last month that the restoration costs were €326,000, but the latest FoI shows the costs have increased to €361,000 with a breakdown showing how €214,550 went to Queenstown Restoration contractor, as follows:

• €143,750 on metal work repair, restoration and recasting; 
• €12,000 on roof leading; 
• €3,000 on the roof structure; 
• €5,500 on a limecrete floor;
• €4,500 on external doors; 
• €2,500 on the ceiling, 
• €4,600 on scaffolding; 
• €25,500 on 'prelims'; 
• €13,200 on a limestone plinth and steps.

The other costs include €112,000 for Sorensens in relation to site works, €18,988 on conservation consultants, €15,000 for alterations to create a hanging gable for cresting, and €908 on photography.

SF Cllr Kenneth Collins said he was very frustrated that the budget for the project was taken from council’s budget without councillors having a vote or a say.

“I believe that expenditure of this size should be notified to councillors," he said.

The council has been asked to comment on the latest costs. Last month, it insisted that the work was subject to a competitive tendering process and the prices were reflective of the market prices for such skills and experience.