The relocation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development's laboratories and the State laboratory from Abbotstown to new facilities at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare, is estimated at £157 million, 199 million, including siteworks, construction costs, design team fees, VAT and inflation. The Marine laboratories will be located at Oranmore, County Galway, on a site that was previously occupied by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the costs of acquiring it are expected to be minimal. The estimated construction cost of the new laboratories in Galway is £31 million, 39 million, including inflation, fees and VAT.
Following an agreement at departmental council, staff representatives are informed of the outcome of every meeting of the interdepartmental co-ordinating committee which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and which is responsible for overseeing the relocation of laboratory facilities from Abbotstown.
In line with Government policy no compensation or removal expenses will be paid to civil servants volunteering to relocate to Backweston and Galway. However, non-Civil Service fixed contract staff working at the Marine Institute who do not wish to move will benefit from a severance package which is being negotiated at present. The precise costs of this package will not be known until final agreement is reached.
