The decentralisation plans provide that a combined total of 75 staff in the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council will move to Edenderry. The staff range in grade in each agency from chief executive to clerical and administrative grades.
In the case of the National Qualifications Authority, the premises is leased with effect from 5 December 2002 for 25 years, with the right to terminate the lease at the end of ten years if the authority wishes to do so. The authority is responsible for the rent and outgoings until the end of the tenth year, but may assign the lease, with the landlord's consent, to a third party. If the permitted assignment is to a State tenant, the provisions contained in the termination clause continue to apply. The premises is 547.5 square metres and the rent is €219,217.50 per annum, with rent reviews every five years.
In the case of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, (HETAC) the premises is leased, with effect from 31 December 2002, for 21 years. The area of the premises is approximately 13,400 square feet. The rent is €280,000, with rent reviews every six years. HETAC is responsible for costs until the expiry of the lease. In the case of the Further Education and Training Awards Council, FETAC, the premises is leased for 25 years with effect from 26 June 2002. A break out clause provides that the lease may be re-assigned after 15 years. FETAC is liable for all costs until this date. The area of the premises is 17,610 square feet, plus 22 car spaces and the rent is €393,211.85 per annum.
While all the leases do not provide specifically for sub lease to a third party, it is anticipated that this can be negotiated and will not present insurmountable problems. Detailed plans and time-scales for the decentralisation move will not emerge in advance of the report from the national decentralisation implementation committee. It is not anticipated that the agencies will retain premises in Dublin after the move.
Decentralisation of staff will take place on a voluntary basis and, accordingly, payment of disturbance or removal expenses will not arise. Local authority tenants on the staff of these agencies will be given every possible assistance, but in the event of not being able to address their needs, they will still have the option of redeployment to a Dublin-based service. The Department does not expect difficulties in administration to arise, having regard to the scope for communication through new technologies. Discussions with staff interests are being planned at present.
Question No. 285 answered with Question No. 73.