Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the comments made by the Minister for Social Protection by way of reply to the Topical Issue put before Dáil Éireann on 26 May 2015 in respect of the retention of the Department of Social Protection offices in Ballybay, County Monaghan, where she stated that the Office of Public Works is the exclusive procurer of office accommodation for the Civil Service and the sole authority in the allocation of space, the number of property owners in Ballybay he contacted, if he provided the specification required and listed criteria required by the Department of Social Protection to these property owners; the date such specifications and criteria were provided; when he was first made aware that any upgrades required would be carried out at the sole expense of the property owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21593/15]

Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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380. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the market research he carried out to ascertain the property that was available in Ballybay, County Monaghan for the Department of Social Protection offices; the local auctioneers he contacted in order to find out the property that was available; the steps he took on foot of the information received; if he provided the specification and criteria of requirements to the property owners identified and-or the auctioneers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21594/15]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

I am advised that the Commissioners of Public Works assessed a total of six properties based on the brief of requirements from the Department of Social Protection. None were found to be suitable from a cost and operational perspective.

While the Commissioners of Public Works have sole discretion as to which building is chosen, it is a matter for the Department of Social Protection as to where a building is located given their specific service delivery requirements.

The Department of Social Protection and the Commissioners considered this matter carefully and the decision has been taken to relocate this facility to Monaghan town.