John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

That was a comprehensive, constructive and positive answer. The Minister of State is right, the staff in Portlaoise are exemplary in carrying out their duties. It is unfortunate and not best practice that they are dispersed all over the place. There are 500 staff so it is an important employer in the region. I welcome the Department's commitment to the base in Portlaoise that it plans to draw up plans to construct an extended office that would be owned by the State with the advantage to the taxpayer of saving on expensive rental properties. If the saving of €1 million a year in rent that is being paid was rolled out and replicated around the country, there would be considerable savings with the added benefit that it would not impact on staff or services. That is how to make savings in the public service.