Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
207. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to locate staff in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in either of two locations in Portlaoise, County Laois; and his Department's plans regarding the site purchased for a new Department building at Mountrath Road, County Laois. [18126/15]
View answerThe majority of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM) staff are currently accommodated in three locations in Portlaoise in the State Owned Government Offices on the Abbeyleix Road and two leased premises.
OPW are continuing to work with DAFM to consolidate their staff into fewer locations. In this regard, a space audit of the State owned Government Offices on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise is currently being undertaken. When this is complete, it will be evaluated to establish the potential to increase the occupancy of the building through the re-configuration of the space with a more modern open plan layout and furniture.
The provision of an extension to this State owned property will also be reviewed following completion of the space audit. The use of leased premises may prove part of the final proposals for the long term accommodation solution for DAFM.
The Commissioners do not have an immediate use for the site purchased in Portlaoise for decentralisation. However, all such sites are taken into account in the context of the overall long term rationalisation of the property portfolio.
