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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 6

Written Answers. - Staff Relocation.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

107 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the latest figure available to his Department for the estimated cost of relocating State facilities and public servants based at the Abbotstown site for the proposed Campus/Stadium Ireland; if he will give a breakdown of the different elements making up this figure; if agreement has been reached with trade unions representing public servants currently working on the site regarding transfer; if it is intended that compensation will be paid to staff for transfer to new locations; the potential cost of such compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25361/01]

The relocation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's laboratories and the State laboratory from Abbotstown to new facilities at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare, is estimated at £157 million, 199 million, including siteworks, construction costs, design team fees, VAT and inflation. The Marine laboratories will be located at Oranmore, County Galway, on a site that was previously occupied by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the costs of acquiring it are expected to be minimal. The estimated construction cost of the new laboratories in Galway is £31 million, 39 million, including inflation, fees and VAT.

Following an agreement at departmental council, staff representatives are informed of the outcome of every meeting of the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and which is responsible for overseeing the relocation of laboratory facilities from Abbotstown.

In line with Government policy no compensation or removal expenses will be paid to civil servants volunteering to relocate to Backweston and Galway. However, non-Civil Service fixed contract staff working at the Marine Institute who do not wish to move will benefit from a severance package which is being negotiated at present. The precise costs of this package will not be known until final agreement is reached.

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