Construction of new Dublin park entrance cost over €750k

It included the addition of 14 steps and a ramp.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has revealed that the project at Deer Park in Mount Merrion cost significantly more than 'initial cost estimates'.

Funding for the park, which is run by Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council, was provided by the NTA.

It was reported by The Irish Times back in November that the works, which included the addition of 14 steps and a ramp, had cost a total of €753,500, including VAT.

Furthermore, in documents released under the Freedom of Information Act by the NTA, Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council appear to have estimated that the development could cost up to €935,200, a figure which was labelled 'a potential estimate' by the NTA.

In a statement, the NTA said the original construction cost estimate, which was made in 2023, was €200,000.

These planning application documents stated that the existing entrance to Deer Park from North Avenue was via steps which weren't suitable for people with a mobility impairment, cyclists, or those with buggies or pushchairs.

The proposal to construct a ramp and replace existing steps to improve accessibility to the park from the local primary school and local church was also made in said document.