Departmental Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Questions (147, 150)

Seán Fleming

Question:

147. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list in respect of properties that are leased by his Department at a location (details supplied) in County Laois; the address of each of the buildings concerned; the Department or Government agency which is using the building; the purpose for which it is required; the expiry date of the lease; the annual rent-lease for this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5230/15]

Seán Fleming

Question:

150. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the sanction provided for a project (details supplied) in October 2013 is still being implemented; if funding has been allocated for this project; the position regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5243/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 150 together.

The following shows details of the properties leased by the Commissioners of Public Works in Portlaoise:

Name and address of Building	Annual Rent	Occupancy
Unit 11 Clonminham Industrial Estate, Portlaoise	98,133.16	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Record Office
Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise	190,000.00	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Eircom Building, Knockmay, Portlaoise	118,000.00	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Eircom Building, Knockmay, Portlaoise	100,000.00	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Grattan House, Grattan Business Centre Portlaoise	46,860.00	Dept of Education and Skills, National Council of Special Education, National Education & Welfare Board
Grattan House, Grattan Business Centre Portlaoise	43,650.00	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Portlaoise Agri Warehouse, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise	107,919.25	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Warehouse
Kilminchy Crescent, Portlaoise	84,051.49	Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Appeals Office
Portlaoise Employment Services, JFL House, Portlaoise	90,000	Dept of Social Protection
Portlaoise Furniture Store, Timahoe Rd, Portlaoise	1,800	Office of Public Works - Furniture Store
Portlaoise NCCA & Equality	50,000	National Coucil for Curriculum Assessment

In October 2013, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to proceed with the extension to the existing Government Buildings at Abbeyleix Road to facilitate the consolidation of Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine staff. However, funding was not provided and, consequently, this project has not been advanced.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine consider it a priority that staff are consolidated in order to re-integrate and co-locate different business areas that have cross-over functions. The OPW has been working with the Department with this consolidation in mind and in 2014, three leases in Gandon Court were surrendered and additional centralised space was leased in Portlaoise town. In addition to the consolidation of staff, a rental saving of approximately €100,000 per annum was achieved. I order to achieve further consolidation, it is proposed to commence a space audit of the State owned Government Offices on the Abbeyleix Road. This will establish the potential for consolidation of staff through re-configuration of the space with a more modern open plan layout and furniture. The provision of the extension will be reviewed following completion of the space audit.

For commercial reasons, the Commissioners of Public Works do not release lease expiry dates. The Commissioners advise that they would be happy to discuss this issue with the Deputy.