Concerns expressed over Priory Hall

A NORTHSIDE councillor has expressed concern over the cost of security at the ill-fated Priory Hall complex after Dublin City Council revealed it has spent over

?¬1.3 million in the last three years.

As well as security, North Inner City ward councillor Nial Ring (Ind) asked Dublin City Manager Owen Keegan for a breakdown of the other costs involved.

These include council accommodation, rent payments, legal fees, staff costs, indirect costs, opportunity cost and any other payments in cash, kind or any other method.

The costs to date for the years 2011 to 2013 (up to October 23) are as follows: Salaries (

?¬10,624), Hotel Accommodation (

?¬398,577), Security (

?¬1,361,570), Engineering/surveys (

?¬371,112), Apartment Leasing (

?¬1,142,941) and Miscellaneous Costs (

?¬161,535).

A sum of

?¬92,507.58 has been expended on legal fees to date covering all courts from the District Court to the Supreme Court.

Cllr Ring said he was particularly concerned about the cost of security.

“The council needs to tell us how large this bill is going to become,

? he told Northside People.

“Dublin residents will be shocked to see that such a huge amount has been spent on providing security for a complex that is lying completely empty.

“As a public representative, I welcome the agreement struck with Priory Hall residents, which will ensure they can avail of a fresh start.

“But in the meantime, the disaster that is Priory Hall continues to impact on Dubliners as the city council has that much less money to spend on much-needed services such as the suspended housing adaptation scheme for disabled persons.”

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said it has a manned 24-hour seven-day perimeter security in place on the entire Priory Hall complex.

“The security has been in place since October 2011 when the High Court ordered that the complex be evacuated,

? he told Northside People.

“The cost of securing the complex will become part of the contract for the carrying out of the refurbishment works which should commence in the second quarter of 2014.

“The security costs will be lower when the contractor is on site. It is estimated that the works will take two years to complete.

?

The spokesman added:

“The council has to date recovered 100 per cent of the cost of leasing alternative accommodation for the Priory Hall owner occupiers, along with e300,824.33 towards the hotel accommodation costs and is seeking to recover the remaining costs.

?

Meanwhile, in response to Cllr Ring’s concerns, Mr Keegan said Dublin City Council

“is and will continue to pursue all legal routes available to recover all costs incurred in relation to Priory Hall

?.