The Office of Public Works is a key service provider to Government, managing the State's estate portfolio, maintaining and presenting Ireland's built heritage, and leading the State's flood risk management function. Under the current National Development Plan, the OPW has secured a record allocation of €1.845 billion, encompassing flood risk management, State property management, and the conservation of heritage assets in support of regional tourism. The OPW's capital programme is therefore one of the most geographically distributed and functionally diverse in the public service, with works delivered in every county.
Under Estate Management, the OPW is responsible for the maintenance, refurbishment, and development of government properties, including offices, Garda stations, and other public service buildings. This includes energy efficiency upgrades and compliance with health and safety and climate obligations. New construction and fit-outs are also undertaken to meet evolving service needs, alongside property acquisitions and disposals as required.
Across the OPW estate ongoing maintenance is essential to ensure that public assets remain safe, functional, and efficient. Regular maintenance activities often identify areas where more substantial interventions are needed, leading to planned preventative capital works. These projects are designed to proactively address emerging issues, extend the lifespan of assets, and optimise their performance. By integrating insights from ongoing maintenance into capital planning, the OPW ensures that resources are used effectively and future risks are minimised.
With regard to capital projects completed by Estate Management in the last five years in the Dublin West area, some examples are, various building repairs and upgrades in the OSI and Garda HQ campuses in the Phoenix Park.
Heritage Services projects focus on the conservation, restoration, and presentation of nationally significant sites such as the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park. These works include structural repairs, preservation of architectural features, and enhancement of visitor facilities. The OPW’s efforts ensure that heritage assets are protected and accessible, supporting both cultural preservation and regional tourism. Recent capital projects include the completed Phase 1 at the Magazine Fort. Please find list of completed projects attached in tabular form as requested.
Flood Risk Management is another core pillar, with the OPW leading the planning and delivery of flood relief schemes in conjunction with the local authorities. The OPW works in partnership with the local authority to advance major flood relief schemes and related works. The Tolka River Flood Scheme is a notable example in the Dublin West area. These initiatives are supported by substantial Government investment, as reflected in the €6.6 million OPW funding announced last week for local authorities to deliver interim flood measures. The Flood Risk Management County Summary provides updates and can be viewed at the following link by selecting Dublin : www.floodinfo.ie/county-summary/.
Should you, Deputy, have a particular capital project in mind or wish to discuss any aspect of our planned preventative works in greater detail, I would welcome the opportunity to engage directly. Please feel free to contact me so we can address your specific interests and ensure your concerns are fully considered.
Dublin West Phoenix Park List of Capital Works
