Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 2

Written Answers. - Laboratory Facilities.

Seán Ryan

Question:

37 Mr. S. Ryan 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; the different elements making up this figure; if agreement has been reached with trade unions representing public servants working on the site regarding transfer; if compensation payments will be made to staff for transfer to new locations; the potential cost of such compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29968/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The relocation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development laboratories and the State laboratory from Abbotstown to new facilities at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare is estimated at £157 million, including siteworks, construction costs, design team fees, VAT and inflation. The Marine laboratories will be located at Oranmore, County Galway on a site previously occupied by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the costs of acquiring are expected to be minimal. The estimated construction cost of the new laboratories in Galway is £31 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. The precise costs of this package will not be known until final agreement is reached.