Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measure he plans to take to ensure more efficient use of State buildings in view of the reduction in the number of State employees working in State offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/12]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Commissioners of Public Works have been pursuing a twin track approach to achieving cost savings and efficiencies in the Civil Service office accommodation portfolio since 2008, with particular focus on central Dublin properties where the greatest savings and efficiencies are achievable. Reduction of the annual rental bill and reduction in the overall property footprint occupied by the Civil Service are being pursued in tandem, and significant results have been achieved to date on both objectives.

Since 2008, the OPW has surrendered a total of 194 leasehold premises and reduced the office property footprint by 745,400 sq.ft (68,250 sq.m.). The number of car spaces has also been significantly reduced with 1,668 car spaces surrendered between 2008 and quarter 3, 2012. No new property was acquired to accommodate staff from surrendered office space. Where alternative office space was required, staff have been consolidated into OPW owned office buildings as far as possible or in a number of cases, Departments have been re-located into long term leasehold premises where rent reductions have been negotiated with Landlords.

Savings achieved to date

Over €27m has been saved through OPWs lease surrender programme since 2008.

The total annual value in savings in rent negotiated so far this year was €5.3m.

The Government's Public Service Reform Plan sets out commitments relating to Property Asset Management to drive public service-wide efficiency and ensures that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio.

With regard to the broader public sector,

(a) 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 a 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 the Office of Public Works is currently developing a set of standards for office accommodation and space norms in accordance with international best practice.

(b) 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.

(c) The OPW aims to intensify savings and efficiencies in the Civil Service office portfolio through new policies currently being finalising. Revised policies in the areas of space allocation and standardisation of workplace fit-outs and refurbishments are being formulated in light of best practice and experience in both public and private sector office providers. Both of these policies will, when fully implemented, lead to greater flexibility in the office portfolio and more efficient use of valuable office space.