It is estimated that the relocation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's laboratories and the State Laboratory from Abbottstown to new facilities at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare, will cost €199.3 million, or £157 million, including site works, construction costs, design team fees, VAT and inflation. This comprises €78.7 million or £62 million for the new State laboratories and €120.6 million or £95 million for the new Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's laboratories.
The marine laboratories are being relocated to Oranmore, County Galway to a site previously occupied by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The estimated construction cost of the new laboratories in Galway is €39.4 million, or £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. This committee is responsible for overseeing the relocation of laboratory facilities from Abbottstown.
In line with Government policy no compensation or removal expenses will be paid to civil servants volunteering to relocate to Backweston and Galway. Non-Civil Service fixed contract staff working at the Marine Institute who do not wish to move will benefit from a severance package that is being negotiated at present. The precise costs of this package will not be known until final agreement is reached.
