Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take the point. Everyone says that the OPW is wonderful but it is not. We have not found it to be. Whoever manages the project on the DPC's side should not believe everything he or she is told. He or she should double-check because we have found organisations indicating that they experienced a great deal of grief. That is a general comment for our guests from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform more than anything else.

The Department of Finance published legislation concerning the TAC this week to increase the number of commissioners from one to two. When the TAC was being set up as a new body, the Department did not adequately project its work programme. It was under-resourced, therefore, from year one, and there have been backlogs and delays. The backlogs continue and the Department is beginning to increase the commission's resources to a reasonable level. I am worried the same will happen in the case of the DPC. I make these remarks as Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts to the senior personnel throughout the public service. When a new body is set up, the mere setting-up of the body will attract business. That the DPC exists, that it has a new office, that it has received great prominence and that it has issued the report will, in itself, increase public awareness and bring more cases. The public sector has never adequately projected an increase in such activity. I hope the increase in resources the DPC seeks will meet the demand next year and in the following years. We might find that an additional €5 million is sufficient but events might take over and it could be well short of the mark. My advice is that the DPC should be cautious because other public bodies have struggled with resources in the early stages of their lifespan.

As a Deputy, I represent Portarlington in County Laois. How many members of DPC staff are based in the Portarlington office and what is the plan for it? The commission was based there primarily. Will Ms Dixon outline the accommodation plans for the commission?