Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
275 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the manner in which the professional requirements of posts being decentralised will be handled under the proposed central applications facility in order that only persons with requisite skills will be assigned to specialist roles in the decentralised bodies. [11585/04]
View answerThe intention of the central applications facility is to allow staff, in all participating organisations, apply for transfer to locations in the decentralisation programme. The exact terms and conditions which will allow access from one sector to another and across professional streams are the subject of on-going detailed discussions with the trade unions. In the interim, all staff may apply indicating an expression of interest in a particular post.
276 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the present accommodation of offices proposed to be decentralised, indicating the square footage, the form of lease, the rental, the termination date of the lease and the penalty for early termination; and the proposed new accommodation, indicating the square footage, the proposed form of lease and the rental of similar properties in the area. [11586/04]
View answerThe State rents some 200,000 sq. m. of office space in the Dublin area at a cost in the region of €70 million per annum. In addition, the State uses some 230,000 sq. m. of State-owned office accommodation in Dublin. Under the decentralisation programme in excess of 200,000 sq. m. of office accommodation will be required in the regions for staff moving out of Dublin. A broadly equivalent amount of space will, as a consequence, be no longer required in the Dublin area.
The issues surrounding the disposal of surplus Dublin space, both owned and leased, are being addressed. In this context, the specific circumstances associated with each building including location, quality and design, tenure, office area and whether its leasehold or freehold will be taken into account. The relocation of Departments and offices within the Dublin portfolio with a view to the optimum consolidation of Dublin office space will also be taken into account. The timing of property disposals and the market value of a building can be greatly affected by prevailing market conditions including a significant influx of properties to the market is another factor for consideration. The question of whether the new accommodation in the regions will be leased, newly built by the State or purchased, depends on the circumstances in each particular case. In general, rental levels in the regions tend to be lower than those applying in the Dublin area.
