Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 185: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a State company (details supplied) in Dublin 3 moved from a State owned premises to rented accommodation; the future plans for the vacated premises; the cost of the annual rental of the new premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36877/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While this is broadly an operational matter for Enterprise Ireland (EI), I understand that the primary benefit of locating Dublin based staff in a single location will be to significantly increase the level of collaboration and efficiency within the organisation which will enable Enterprise Ireland to deliver a more effective service to client companies. There are likely to be considerable benefits to the Exchequer following the move to East Point in terms of the decrease in rent EI will pay in East Point compared to its previous overall rental costs and the transfer or sale of the Glasnevin site.

I also understand that it has been a key strategic objective for Enterprise Ireland (EI) to bring all Dublin based staff together in one location since the Agency was established in 1998. Enterprise Ireland had previously occupied four office locations in Dublin, primarily as a result of the amalgamation of various state agencies into a single organisation over a number of years. The lease on two of these buildings is expiring in Quarter 4, 2008 (necessitating the search for alternative accommodation). From an operational perspective, occupying four separate locations in Dublin was undesirable especially for an agency mandated to provide a range of services and expertise across several critical business functions in a holistic fashion.

Having explored a number of possible solutions, including the development of the Glasnevin site, the Board of Enterprise Ireland decided that the single site office solution offered in the East Point Business Park was the most appropriate from a number of perspectives, including location, value for money and flexibility. In September of 2006, following the Board decision, Enterprise Ireland signed a commercial 25-year lease on office accommodation in East Point. Enterprise Ireland moved their operations to the East Point Business Park and vacated the Glasnevin Site at the end of September 2008. The future of the vacated site is currently the focus of discussions between Enterprise Ireland, my Department, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Dublin City Council.