A Fine Gael Senator has criticised the cost of relocating Department of Agriculture offices in Galway city at a quoted cost of €4.6 million. Senator Ulick Burke has asked the Dáil Public Accounts Committee to investigate the matter, which he described as "unbelievable". The relocation is a distance of just 20 yards.
In a Dáil reply to Mr Burke, Minister of State at the Department of Finance Tom Parlon confirmed that the Office of Public Works was transferring the agriculture and food department's offices at Hynes Building and the farm development service based in the Murrough to a new office block in Galway docks. Mr Parlon confirmed that the annual rent and service charges for lease of the new premises would be €814,091. Fit-out costs of the new premises to meet the department's requirements was €2,342,488, he said.
"A once-off charge of €1,457,244 in respect of VAT arose on the creation of the lease . . . the consolidation of the Department of Agriculture services in Galway into a single location in Dockgate provides a 'one-stop shop' facility for the agricultural community."
Mr Burke said it would have cost the taxpayer far less if the department had moved to Athenry, Co Galway, where space had become available after the closure of the Teagasc training college.
The Irish Farmers' Association's Galway spokesman, John Mannion also described it as an "appalling waste of taxpayers' money".