Department’s rejection of office building ‘a waste’
Joe Kelly, chief executive of IRD Kiltimagh, maintains the group is baffled and deeply disappointed by the decision of Eamon O Cuiv’s department not to rent or buy its property, as it offers value for money.
Instead, the department is determined to push ahead with a new build, the funding for which will not be reviewed until 2011 and which will run into millions of euro.
Meanwhile, staff are in a rented property in Tubercurry at a cost of €175,000 annually.
Mr Kelly said he felt standards being demanded by the public sector were ludicrous.
“Our property was built to private sector standards, which seemingly are well below those currently being demanded by the public sector,” he said.
“These standards of extravagance seem to know no limits and should not be accepted in times of plenty, never mind at this point in time, when we do not have the money to deal with more pressing issues facing the country.”
Ms O Cuiv’s department has been unsuccessfully attempting to find a permanent home for about 100 staff since 2006, when a site near Knock airport, for which the Government paid almost €400,000, was denied planning permission.
In May last year, IRD Kiltimagh, a voluntary community organisation, approached the Government regarding its new office building, offering it for sale, for rent or rent to buy – all at cost prices.
Following a review of the building, the OPW concluded it was not suitable.
Mr Kelly, however, maintains his organisation is willing to take on any modifications the OPW specified, at the group’s own cost.
“We are a community organisation, the type of which is supposed to be supported and encouraged by the minister,” he said.
According to the department, in light of budgetary constraints and affordability issues, the Minister for Finance has decided to defer proceeding with permanent accommodation in Charlestown.
