Written answers

Tuesday, 24 October 2006

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Decentralisation Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will confirm reports that Enterprise Ireland has taken out a long-term lease on an office block in East Point; the number of staff this office will cater for; the percentage of the Dublin-based staff of Enterprise Ireland this constitutes; if the Office of Public Works is continuing to progress plans to locate Enterprise Ireland staff to Shannon at the same time; if an office block in Shannon has been located or procured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/06]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has decided that the Headquarters of Enterprise Ireland (EI), including 300 posts, will relocate to Shannon as part of the Decentralisation programme.

In addition, the Board of Enterprise Ireland has decided, based on sound business reasons, to bring all Dublin based staff, currently based in 4 separate locations, together into one Dublin location.

I understand that, in order to facilitate moving to a single Dublin office, Enterprise Ireland has taken a normal commercial 25-year lease on two office units in East Point. The lease has break clauses to enable the agency to effectively manage changes in accommodation levels. This new location will cater for 100% of EI Dublin based staff (approximately 600 people).

Enterprise Ireland, working closely with the Office of Public Works (OPW), has identified, but not yet acquired, a preferred site (to construct a new HQ building for EI) from the submissions received by the OPW in relation to the Shannon location. The preferred site is a 13-acre site owned by Shannon Development. In co-operation with Shannon Development and OPW, the site was valued and a feasibility study carried out. The site occupies a prime position near the centre of Shannon and is considered suitable for a major landmark building or civic structure.

It is not possible, at this stage, to say with certainty when the full move of EI's HQ will take place. Influencing factors regarding the timing of the move to Shannon include the level of interest in the Shannon location expressed by CAF applicants and suitable transfer arrangements being established. However, EI has recently announced that it intends to move its Regional Development Headquarters to Shannon as well as establishing a new unit in Shannon to work with the City and County Enterprise Boards. It is intended that this will be complete by mid 2007.

From January 2007, I have directed that Enterprise Ireland will be responsible for the development of indigenous industry in the Mid West Region. This will involve the transfer of a number of Shannon Development staff to Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland will establish interim office accommodation in the region, to accommodate both the Shannon Development staff and EI HQ staff, by mid 2007.

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