Written answers

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Departmental Properties

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he intends to ensure that greater cooperation is achieved across State agencies in the use of State owned land and buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43406/12]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Public Service Reform Plan sets out commitments relating to Property Asset Management to drive public service wide efficiency and ensure that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio.

The Office of Public Works chairs a Steering Group drawn from public service property interests to promote greater efficiencies and develop a property management plan with particular focus on office accommodation. The Government's rationalisation programme of state bodies and the reduction in public service numbers generally has resulted in reduced requirement for office space. Addressing these changes will involve a comprehensive review of public service accommodation policies particularly in relation to space norms, open plan accommodation and efficiency drivers. A cross-disciplinary committee in OPW is currently developing a set of standards for office accommodation and space norms in accordance with international practice.

The OPW is also defining a map-based Public Service property inventory and web portal for State property to facilitate data sharing. This web application will be used to integrate property data generated by a variety of public bodies to manage the State's property assets more effectively across the service.

In relation to energy consumption, Deputies will be aware of the “Optimising Power @ Work” initiative which began in 2008. This was introduced to raise awareness with employees on the importance of conserving energy. Over the past number of years the OPW has installed energy-logging equipment in all large State buildings. Expanding energy performance measurement and raising awareness of the importance of reducing energy consumption across the public sector will continue.

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