COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

MOTION NO.12

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

That this Council requests that the Chief Executive commissions a publicly published independent review of the Lucan Pool development, focusing on: 1. A clear timeline of when and why delays occurred during planning, tendering and construction phases. 2. Analysis of cost overruns including the final project cost of nearly €20 million well beyond initial estimates. 3. Review of compliance with government tendering and procurement protocols and any lessons arising. 4. A summary of Council intervention where required and how these actions helped secure project completion. 5. Examination of how the public was informed throughout the process campaigns, updates, consults. 6. Recommendations highlighting 'lessons learned' and procedural reforms to prevent similar delays or budget escalations in future capital projects.

REPORT:

In light of the termination of PJ McLoughlins contract for the works at Lucan Swimming Pool, we have commenced investigating the status of a number of critical sub-contractors where collateral warranties were in place with SDCC. We are also in the process of preparing tender documents for the procurement of a replacement main contractor which will issue shortly.

As the overall contract for the building is still ongoing, it would be premature to commence a full investigation in advance of completion of the contract. Any investigation at this time, would not provide a full picture of the reasons for delay and/or non-performance, and would also require significant additional resources to feed into any such investigation. All available resources are currently focused on completing the remaining elements of the project, including confirming the relationships with critical sub-contractors, and the procurement / appointment of a replacement contractor.

The already identified reasons for PJ McLoughlin’s delays and non-performance have been communicated to the Elected Members and the public on many occasions since these delays became apparent. Upon completion of the project as a whole, we will carry out a full project review to identify insofar as practicable any previously unidentified reasons for delay and implement any lessons learned on similar projects under the Council’s remit.