Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Minister who is directly responsible for the Office of Public Works (OPW); and the procedures that exist for holding senior management and commissioners at the OPW accountable. [37778/24]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process by which decisions are taken by the Office of Public Works (details supplied); the different stages of proposal development and scrutiny; the relevant organs of the office, or external parties, involved at each stage; the required expertise or qualifications of the relevant officials; and the oversight, if any, provided by him or other Ministers in such decisions, in relation to different types of decisions. [37777/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 135 together.

The OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the OPW’s works on the lodge at the Phoenix Park Castleknock Gate; to provide a summary of the works being carried out by the OPW, a timeline and the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37260/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Office of Public Works that additional time is needed to collate the information requested by the Deputy. My officials will collate the information and reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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130. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of square metres of property managed by the OPW for the accommodation of public servants; the average square metre accommodation afforded to each member of staff; and the average total cost of providing a square metre of accommodation for each public servant per year. [37357/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) provides office accommodation in both state-owned and leased buildings for Government Departments and a range of State agencies. The amount of office space in the office portfolio is 866,896 m2, as reported at the end of April 2024.

The most recent staffing figures for the civil service at the end of the second quarter 2024 was 51,424 whole time equivalents. Given this, a high level portfolio indicator suggests an average of 16.8 m2 of office space per whole time equivalent. Although this metric is a useful indicator, it does not account for the diverse accommodation portfolio in the care of the OPW, and the different business functions performed across Government. Over the past ten years there has been a gradual reduction in this high level portfolio indicator, as working practices have changed and the portfolio has become more efficient.

In a wider European context, space allocation per whole time equivalents across public real estate providers varies, and it depends on the measurement practices and portfolio make up in each jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the lack of a common comparator, the average space per whole time equivalent, across a range of European public real estate agencies, varies from 12 m2 to 25 m2.

In a scenario whereby the OPW is developing new or refurbishing existing office accommodation, office layouts will be designed to a framework that maximises efficient and optimum usage. This framework will be anchored by a high level allocation target of 12 m2 net internal floor area per workstation, averaged across the entire space allocation, including work areas, support spaces, circulation, etc. Where appropriate, these projects will also take consideration of the flexible use of space and the evolution of emerging office design principles, that are moving away from a concentration of individual workstations, to a collection of more agile workspaces.

Due to the diversity of building stock, the varied tenure, and the diverse functions performed across the accommodation portfolio, the OPW does not report on the cost of accommodation for each civil servant per year. However, as part of business case development, cost parameters are driven by market norms and subject to client requirements, which include a movement towards blended working, and are assessed on a case by case basis.

The above information is collated by the OPW for its owned and leased office accommodation only. The OPW does not collate information in relation to owned or leased space, where Departments or other public bodies have entered into agreements with third party providers.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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131. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who signed off on the purchase order for the new bicycle shed in Leinster House; the chain of management that was involved in the decision to sign off on the purchase order for the new shed; the role he plays in procurement within the OPW; and if there is a price floor or ceiling for which he becomes responsible for the procurement decisions within the OPW. [37358/24]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a breakdown of the costs associated with the Office of Public Works' provision of a bicycle shelter at Leinster House; if he will provide the business case which led to the bicycle shelter being constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.

I requested that the Chairman of the Office of Public Works carry out a review of the circumstances surrounding the Leinster House covered bicycle shelter project, which I expect will be published shortly.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date by the OPW in arranging to obtain the ancient document, known as the Pangur Bán, for the purpose of putting it on display in Kilkenny Castle. [37548/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Pangur Bán, an early 9th-century poem of national historic significance, was previously offered by its guardians in St. Paul’s Abbey library in Lavanttal, Austria for exhibition in Kilkenny Castle. While initial discussions about the possibility of hosting the Pangur Bánon display at the Castle took place, the housing of a 9th century manuscript of this importance and delicacy would require specialist conservation handling.While Kilkenny Castle has achieved Museum Standards Programme status, the level of expert handling and housing the need to provide and maintain the requisite light and humidity levels would be significant. The OPW remains open to pursuing the temporary loan of this manuscript when the necessary curatorial conditions to ensure its proper care are in place.