Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2019
421. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to his Department in Civil Service accommodation outside Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46286/19]
View answerMy Department works in cooperation with the Office of Public Works (and with other Departments and Offices) to maximise the use of office space in accordance with the OPW's Property Asset Management Delivery Plan, to ensure that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio.
In the main, desk spaces available in the Department's Regional Offices and District Veterinary Offices are at full capacity. The majority of these Department offices have a number of "hot desks" available for use by visiting Headquarters staff, or for outdoor staff who cover large and often remote geographic areas.
There is some office space available currently in the Drumshanbo RVO building, but this is under consideration to be allocated for use in the near future. Similarly, there is space available in the Department's offices at Johnstown Castle in Wexford. However, pending the outcome of the ongoing Brexit negotiations, some of that space is likely to used to accommodate staff engaged on Brexit-related work.
