Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2011
79 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a three-acre site was purchased in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, in 2009 for the Health and Safety Authority, although it was clear that the move would not take place and that the price was excessive. [38180/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decentralisation project to Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, is currently awaiting review and decision from Government. In this regard the contract was signed for the acquisition of the site in May 2006 at a price in line with the property market at that time.
80 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of money spent on property acquisitions and construction costs and rents associated with the decentralisation programme announced in budget 2004, and the amount of money saved or received from the sale of property or the cessation of leases in Dublin as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38184/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) includes an audit of property management under the decentralisation programme. This report identified capital expenditure on the Programme of €289.4 million on property and recurring costs (leases) of €7 million (as at April 2010). Dublin property disposals were €356m and leases with an annual value of €10m over the same period were surrendered.
The figures provided have not been updated since April 2010, due to the deferral for budgetary reasons in October 2008 of the implementation of the elements of the programme remaining to be completed at that time. My Department has asked the OPW and others to provide details to it on the additional property costs in respect of the period from April 2010 up to the cancellation of the programme, as well as details of any additional disposals made. The relevant information will be sent directly to the Deputy when it becomes available.
