Public Sector Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Questions (122)

Brian Leddin

Question:

122. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the progress of the plan of the Office of Public Works to move Revenue Commissioners staff from Sarsfield House to the planned opera development in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48342/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Following on from the publication of the Economic and Spatial Plan for Limerick, the Government decided in principle, to the relocation of the Revenue Commissioners from their existing offices in Sarsfield House to new offices that will form part of the major Opera, urban regeneration scheme being developed in Limerick city centre. It was further decided that the OPW would receive ring fenced funding to complete the acquisition. A Working Group, chaired by the Revenue Commissioners, comprising Limerick City & County Council and the Office of Public Works was established on foot of the Government Decision S130/60/38/0001N of 16 December 2014.

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Office of Public Works, continue to work with Limerick City & County Council and Limerick 2030, to give effect to the Government decision and to ensure the new Opera site will provide a modern, energy efficient office building that will meet the long-term requirements of the Revenue Commissioners and other OPW clients in Limerick city centre.

There has been extensive engagement with the Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC design team and a full detailed design of the superstructure of the building has been completed.  The OPW understands that an amended planning application will shortly be lodged by Limerick 2030 and OPW awaits the outcome of this application together with further updates on project progress.

The OPW are actively engaged on this project. A meeting is taking place this week between the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Limerick City & County Council, Limerick 2030, the Revenue Commissioners and the OPW to further progress this project.