Martin Ferris
Ceist:244 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if the lease for the site of the probation and welfare office at Donaghmede Shopping Centre has been signed between the State and a company (details supplied). [24904/03]
Written Answers. - Probation and Welfare Service.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:245 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if his attention was drawn to the fact that second floor site of the probation and welfare office at Donaghmede Shopping Centre was unoccupied for three years prior to May 2000. [24905/03]
Martin Ferris
Ceist:250 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the other sites which were considered as alternative sites for the probation and welfare centre at Donaghmede Shopping Centre. [24910/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245 and 250 together.
The lease in respect of the probation and welfare service offices at Donaghmede Shopping Centre has not yet been signed. The commissioners and the Chief State Solicitor's office are continuing to pursue the completion of the legal formalities.
It is understood that the premises in question was used for storage purposes prior to its being leased by the Commissioners of Public Works. A search for suitable property in the area was carried out by the Office of Public Works. The accommodation at Donaghmede Shopping Centre was the only premises deemed suitable by the probation and welfare service.
Martin Ferris
Ceist:246 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that none of the work being carried out on the probation and welfare service office at Donaghmede is adding to the value of the building owned by a company (details supplied). [24906/03]
Martin Ferris
Ceist:247 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the reservations expressed by the consultant architect, he has satisfied himself that there is no structural work being carried out by the Office of Public Works on the site of the probation and welfare service office at Donaghmede. [24907/03]
Martin Ferris
Ceist:248 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the estimated final cost, including design, for the fit-out of the probation and welfare service office at Donaghmede. [24908/03]
Martin Ferris
Ceist:249 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the increase in the estimate for the fit-out of the probation and welfare service office at Donaghmede from between ?127,000 and ?152,000 in May 2000, to ?1.2 million in June 2001. [24909/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 249, inclusive, together.
In the opinion of the Commissioners of Public Works the works being carried out on the second floor of Donaghmede Shopping Centre on behalf of the probation and welfare service are not adding to the value of the shopping centre. The Commissioners of Public Works are not carrying out any structural works to the building at the shopping centre as part of the fit out works.
The final cost for the fit-out, including design team fees, of the probation and welfare service offices at Donaghmede Shopping Centre is currently estimated at €1.8 million, VAT inclusive. The original estimate of €152,000 in April 2000 was a preliminary rudimentary estimate prepared prior to the detailed brief of requirements being supplied by the probation and welfare service.
Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 244.