I should state at the outset that my Department is committed to providing a quality service from accommodation that meets the requirements of both staff and customers.
To this end, my Department, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, has been carrying out a comprehensive programme of refurbishing existing local offices and providing new accommodation where required.
As part of this programme, my Department identified a need for improved accommodation in Bray and the Office of Public Works, which acts on behalf of my Department in the provision of new offices, has been looking for an alternative site to accommodate both existing offices in Bray – the local office at the Esplanade and the social welfare inspectors' office in the Main Street. A number of sites were examined but were considered unsuitable.
However, a new civic centre is being provided by Wicklow County Council for the Bray Urban District Council at Emmet Park-St. Cronans. The Office of Public Works has entered into negotiations with the developers of this project – which is due to be completed in 2004 – with a view to accommodating my Department's offices in the new centre.
The Office of Public Works has been provided with a brief of my Department's requirements for the new office including provision for a family mediation service centre and there will be ongoing co-ordination with other agencies as to the range of services to be provided.
