Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that the lease for County Offaly Vocational Education Committee head office at Castle Buildings, Tara Street, Tullamore, which includes 766.63 square metres of office space with immediate capacity for 30 additional staff at no extra cost, has 16.5 years remaining at a minimum cost of €2,225,000 to the Exchequer or Department; and if he will provide the cost either through refurbishment or new build of accommodating the additional staff resulting from this merger at the current VEC head office, Portlaoise, County Laois. [28802/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In November 2010, my officials sought information regarding head office accommodation from VECs the subject of merger proposals, including the VEC referred to by the Deputy. Information provided by Co Offaly VEC on foot of that request, indicates that its head office has 766.63 square meters of office space with capacity for a total of 44 staff, that the lease has approximately 15 years and 7 months to run and that there are 14 staff in the office.

The information provided by Co Laois VEC indicates that its head office, which is owned by the VEC, has 652 square meters of office space with capacity for 35 staff and that there are some 15 staff in the office. In addition, Co Laois VEC owns other property close by which has an estimated capacity for up to 65 staff. The detail in relation to the disposal of existing property interests and any upgrading or refurbishment of accommodation that arises will be worked through by my Department in conjunction with the VECs involved and the new merged body when established.