Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of relocating the Department of Agriculture and Food offices from Hynes building to Dockgate building in Galway city; the cost of relocating the farm development service offices from Murrough to Dockgate building in Galway city; the annual cost of leasing the Dockgate building offices and the cost of car parking facilities. [35283/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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In line with the requirements of the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Office of Public Works organised the relocation of the Department of Agriculture and Food from the Hynes building and the farm development services from the Murrough to Dockgate. The annual rent and service charges payable in respect of the lease on the building is €814,091 and includes 65 car spaces. The cost of the fit out of the Dockgate premises to meet the requirements of the Department of Agriculture and Food was €2,342,488.99. A once-off charge of €1,457,244.15 in respect of VAT arose on the creation of the lease, which is payable by the landlord to the Revenue Commissioners.

The consolidation of Department of Agriculture and Food services in Galway into a single location in Dockgate provides a "one-stop shop" facility for the agricultural community. The property vacated at the Murrough is State-owned and is being evaluated to determine whether it can be used for alternative public purposes. If no such alternative use is identified, it will be disposed of by the OPW in line with normal practice.