James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 226: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the proposed relocation of her Department to the Office of Public Works building in St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; the action that will be taken in relation to Hawkins House; if it has been sold, or sale agreed and if so with whom; the expected proceeds from such a sale; if it is not sold, if it will be offered and advertised for sale publicly; if a deal has been agreed on the disposal of Hawkins House, if the premises was advertised publicly beforehand; the estimated cost of providing private offices and other fittings in the OPW building for her Departmental staff; the amount expended; when it was expended on a new data centre for Hawkins House; if the benefit of this expenditure will be lost when staff relocate to new premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43842/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It has long been recognised that Hawkins House is not a viable long-term Headquarters for the Department of Health and Children. Following discussions with the Office of Public Works and consideration of various options it was agreed that my Department's HQ would relocate from Hawkins House to the premises on St. Stephen's Green currently occupied by the Office of Public Works, following OPW's vacating of that premises and their relocation to Trim under the Government's decentralisation programme.

With regard to the future of the Hawkins House site, I am informed that the Office of Public Works considered a number of options, and that these options were subject to independent valuation. These assessments concluded that a Lease Agreement with the owner of the Apollo premises, which would allow that owner to develop the consolidated Hawkins/Apollo sites, was most beneficial to the State. The costs of the redevelopment will be borne entirely by the owner of the Apollo premises.

In accordance with standard practice the OPW engaged Consultant Architects to review the Stephen's Green premises and identify any work needed to meet my Department's requirements. Based on accepted accommodation norms, the initial estimate received suggests a cost of the order of €3.2 million to complete necessary works. Every effort will be made to minimise the costs arising in this context.

A new IT Computer Room was provided in Hawkins House in 2007 as part of a number of refurbishment works carried out by the Office of Public Works that year. This work was necessary to ensure that IT services and security were maintained. The cost of this facility, including VAT, was slightly under €400,000. The bulk of the equipment installed as part of the refurbishment of the computer room can be reused elsewhere.