Mr. Kenneth Moore:

Government policy is for Departments and bodies directly aligned to Departments to be accommodated by the OPW. That is the way the OPW works. The funding is directed by the Department of Finance to the OPW to pay for it. Most other bodies that are set up by statute, such as Foras na Gaeilge, normally arrange their own accommodation at their own cost. Good practice is that the OPW will assist where it can in providing accommodation. Sometimes we are able to negotiate better rates or are able to accommodate bodies in one building, which is more efficient. We worked closely with Foras na Gaeilge. It was very frustrating for a while, but that simply reflects the market at the moment. There are very few buildings available in Dublin and there is huge demand from the Civil Service and the public service for those spaces. We looked for suitable buildings but, unfortunately, that was not possible. The funding is the same. The OPW does not own the building so the external cost would be the same. We might be able to negotiate a better rate but the question really is whether the Government funds are channelled through Foras na Gaeilge to the OPW and on to the landlord or from the Exchequer to the OPW and on to the landlord. We are talking about the same funding.

With respect to the question about the current building on Merrion Square, a major redevelopment is planned for the building. This involves another building beside it and a large space behind it. It is important because at the moment we badly need accommodation in the city centre for the Civil Service and the public sector.