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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Central Statistics Office Relocation.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

1 Mr. Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he will outline, (a) when it is intended to move the Central Statistics Office offices to Cork, (b) the total cost of the move, (c) the nett additional employment which will result from the transfer and (d) the arrangements that will be made for staff of the Central Statistics Office who do not wish to transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: (a) the new building being constructed for the Central Statistics Office in Cork is expected to be ready for occupancy in January 1994 and the bulk of the activities of the office will be transferred there after that date; (b) there will be costs and savings involved in the move of the Central Statistics Office to Cork. Savings will accrue from the fact that the fixed tenant purchase terms for the new Cork office will be less than the rents currently being paid by Central Statistics Office in Dublin, which are subject to periodic upward rent reviews and, of course, give no ultimate ownership. It is not yet possible to assess accurately all the costs involved in the move; (c) approximately 400 staff will be transferred to Cork. A small number of additional staff will be required in the Central Statistics Office as a result of the transfer; (d) general service staff in the Central Statistics Office not relocating to Cork and who are excess to its post-decentralisation Dublin requirements will be redeployed to other Government Departments. Professional Central Statistics Office staff who do not voluntarily relocate will continue to work for the Central Statistics Office in Dublin or will be loaned to other Government Departments where professional statistical need arises.

First, I ask the Taoiseach to give an assurance that no member of the staff of the Central Statistics Office will be forced to leave the service should he or she not wish to transfer to Cork. Second, could the Taoiseach tell the House the amount of the rents now being paid for the premises in Dublin and that are expected to be paid for the premises in Cork?

The transfer of Central Statistics Office staff from Dublin to Cork will be on a voluntary basis only. The issue of rents is another matter and requires a separate question from the Deputy.

While I appreciate that the transfer of the Central Statistics Office to Cork will be a valuable economic benefit to Cork, has there been any assessment made of the corresponding economic loss to Dublin following the transfer of 400 staff members?

What about decentralisation? We cannot win.

The Deputy seems to be injecting new matter into the question.

Some of them are living in Dún Laoghaire.

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