asked the Minister for Finance the cost of office accommodation rented from private landlords by the Government in 1982.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Office Accommodation.
35.
The amount of rent paid in 1982 in respect of office accommodation rented from private landlords by the Government was £12,701,118.
The amount is inclusive of rent paid in respect of some storage, etc. properties. It would take considerable time to extract details of such charges and the amount would not in any event be significant.
Arising out of that reply, remembering that over £12 million is paid out for office accommodation, is it not a wonder the Government could not continue with the decentralisation programme? It would be much better to implement that programme rather than pay £12 million for rented accommodation. Can the Minister give any assurance that the decentralisation programme will be implemented in the near future?
I have no information on that here.
Mr. Leonard
How does the Minister justify the need for this additional accommodation when there has been an embargo for some time now on the recruitment of additional staff? Is this due to staff requiring more space or to what is it due?
It is fair to say that some of the services provided were being carried out in sub-standard offices and there are also new services being provided which require office accommodation.
Mr. Leonard
Would the Minister not agree that in time of recession these staffs could continue in their present offices as against renting this very expensive additional office accommodation?
I would not like to keep staff in sub-standard offices except for the shortest possible time.