Vol. 564 No. 5
40 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the comparison of building costs, rental charges and maintenance costs in rural towns versus the capital city costs; and if Exchequer savings can be retained by a decentralisation programme. [9698/03]
Generally speaking building costs for projects and rental charges in rural towns are lower than in the capital city. The current average rental charges for Dublin office accommodation can be broken down into the following main categories – (i) third generation city centre @ €500 per sq. metre, (ii) second generation city centre @ €275 per sq. metre, and (iii) suburban @ €130 per sq. metre. Current rental costs in the larger provincial towns and cities range from €129 to €226 per sq. metre. In general, maintenance costs tend to be specific to the building and the main contributory factors would be its age, condition, status etc. Building location would not have any substantial effect on the cost of ongoing maintenance.
Factors which would need to be taken into account in determining possible savings to the Exchequer are as follows: building design and market forces; double overheads for a period during the move and until subsequent disposal of the old space; effective e-working; communication with headquarters; whether transfer of part or entire Department; training costs; and natural wastage – redistribution of staff. In the absence of such details it is not possible at this stage to state what Exchequer savings, if any, could be retained by a decentralisation programme.
