I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 25, 27 and 47 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, I am committed to providing the highest quality facilities and services for all our social welfare customers. My Department have in recent years, in consultation with the Office of Public Works, been engaged in a programme to provide new offices and to improve existing ones in order to ensure a high standard of accommodation and facilities for the staff and members of the public who use these offices. Good progress has been made on this programme with 17 new offices provided and a further ten extensively refurbished.
I am determined that the progress already made in improving the standard of my Department's accommodation will be maintained and in this regard, the programme is being advanced as quickly as financial and technical resources will allow.
I am aware of the problems associated with the office at Navan Road and I regard its replacement with a new office as a priority. It had been intended to start work on the new office during the current year but the commencement date has had to be deferred pending a decision on the financial allocations for 1992. However, the project is already being progressed with the recent appointment of a consultant architect to draw up an outline design which is due for completion by the end of the year. I am now in a position to confirm that a contract for the Navan Road project will be placed by mid-September next.
I am very concerned to settle the present dispute involving staff in Navan Road. Action planned by the staff for 14 October has already been deferred and negotiations with staff representatives are continuing, with a view to securing a resumption of normal working arrangements.
