Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2015
63. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the brief for accommodation requirements in her Department's premises in Ballybay, County Monaghan, to include all specification requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12654/15]
View answerDue to the unsuitable nature and poor condition of the accommodation where staff are currently located in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, my Department has requested that OPW identify an alternative premises. OPW would be best placed to provide the detailed technical specification requirements of accommodation to be occupied by Government Departments.
However in terms of basic accommodation requirements, the space needs to include: open plan seating for approximately 32 people; two individual offices for managers; postal sorting area; file storage area; communications room; staff canteen; staff toilets; general store room and rest room would also be required.
My Department also has an urgent requirement to establish a Public Service Card (PSC) public office in Monaghan; the only county which does not yet have such an office. This would require a reception counter, two to four PSC customer points, an interview room, a waiting area, a public toilet as well as back office areas for staff.
There would be economies of scale and an operational advantage to be gained if these two functions were located in the same building. A building of approximately 4,500 – 5,000 square feet (420-475 square metres) is envisaged. However, the geographical location of the PSC public office requires careful consideration, as it needs to serve the entire county.
