asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has considered the suitability of the new office block which is in course of erection on the North Circular Road, Dublin at the rear of the cattle market, for the purpose of centralising his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Department Office Blocks.
63.
The Office of Public Works are primarily responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Civil Service. That office have not proposed the premises on the North Circular Road for my Department.
Is it not true that the Minister's Department are very pressed for accommodation, and has he any proposals to put before the Office of Public Works for the purpose of relieving this situation?
Naturally it would help to have all the staff together because there are four different buildings in which they are scattered throughout the city, but there are no proposals at the present time. With the present lack of accommodation I am afraid I have no proposals.
When I was the political head of the Office of Public Works we proposed a building in Finglas and also this one on North Circular Road. It might be suitable to centralise the entire Department of Local Government. I understand that the senior civil servants were reluctant to go out to Finglas and I felt at that time—of course there was a change of Government——
I hesitate to interrupt the Deputy but he is making a statement on this matter.
I thought the North Circular Road——
The only information I have is that the Office of Public Works have not proposed the premises on the North Circular Road for my Department.
Are there any proposals whatsoever for the Minister's Department?
No.
Why does the Minister not take over the rest of the Custom House for himself?
That was tried before.