Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 935: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the individual current and capital budgets allocated by Government, whether through the Office of Public Works or through Departmental and agency budgets, for the provision of new office accommodation for agencies and Departments (details supplied) as part of the decentralisation programme; the status of the process of securing new office accommodation for these agencies and Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23582/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The capital budget for the provision of office accommodation for my Department under the decentralisation programme is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). I understand that the Department of Finance is providing the Deputy with details of that Office's capital budget for the decentralisation programme.

There is no specific current budget held by my Department in respect of accommodation costs under decentralisation. Any current costs incurred to date, including those related to the establishment of an advance office in Wexford in 2007, have been paid from my Department's administrative budget.

The capital and current decentralisation budgets of relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the bodies concerned.

The status of the process of securing new office accommodation in the South East for my Department is as follows:

Wexford

The new headquarters building is currently under construction in Wexford and is due to be completed in early 2009.

Waterford

The OPW has identified and purchased a site for the Department's office in Waterford.

Kilkenny

The OPW and Kilkenny County Council are pursuing the joint development of a Council owned site on John Street beside the County Council Offices.

New Ross

Agreement has been reached between the OPW and the Council on a local authority site for the Department's office.

The position in relation to securing decentralised office accommodation for relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for those bodies.