Dublin City Council urged to accept reduced-cost offer to build Merrion Square cafe
Construction of delayed café could be done within budget, officials say
Dublin City Council has not yet accepted an offer to build tearooms and a public toilet in Merrion Square despite the developer offering to deliver the project within the council’s budget of almost €3.39 million.
The project, which was first granted planning permission in 2014, has been delayed due to the need to undertake a costs review. The increased cost of building, attributed to the pandemic and Brexit, necessitated the review, the council said.
Funding of €3 million had been allocated to the project for 2021 and building works were to have begun last summer, the council said in April last year. The funding amount was increased to €3,386,410 for 2022 under the council’s latest capital programme for the years 2022 to 2024. The project has also been allocated €200,000 for 2023.
