The provision of accommodation for the Department is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. The following information relates to accommodation provided for agencies and other bodies who deliver services on behalf of the Department.
The Citizens Information Board occupies two premises in Galway City. The premises at Dockgate, Merchants Road, Galway comprises 1,970 square feet and the rental cost amounts to €39,400 per annum.
The Citizens Information Centre at Augustine House, St.Augustine Street, comprises 2,585 square feet and the rental cost is €71,119 per annum.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is based in the Halls Building in Quay Street, Galway and occupies 1,800 square feet. The annual rent paid in 2007 amounted to €44,407.
The Family Mediation Service occupies an office in Ross House, Merchants Road, Galway comprising approximately 1,250 square feet. The annual rent paid in 2007 was €20,340.32.
The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), is administered on behalf of the Department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The Department does not engage in leasing property for the HSE but reimburses the HSE for expenditure on rent properly expended for the purpose of administering the SWA scheme. The Department has requested the relevant information from the HSE and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.