asked the Minister for Finance the cost per square metre of office accommodation recently constructed by the Office of Public Works for the public service.

The average construction cost per square metre of office accommodation projects undertaken by the Office of Public Works in recent years is £390.

32.

asked the Minister for Finance the average cost per square metre of accommodation recently rented by the public service.

The average rental cost of the office accommodation leased by the Commissioners of Public Works since 1 January 1982 is £76.04 per square metre per year.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, with a rental of £76 per metre would it not make sense to ensure Government Departments would erect their own office accommodation, especially now when the construction industry is in recession?

I am in full agreement with the Deputy.

Would the Minister ensure that a programme is drawn up instead of paying practically 20 per cent more than would be incurred if there were a proper programme?

We have a building programme but the Deputy will appreciate capital is a scarce commodity.

Would the Minister agree over £76 per metre looks to be a very high rent for office accommodation remembering there is a surplus of office space available throughout the country?

I agree the rents are high and I agree a cheaper way of providing accommodation would be for Government Departments to build their own.