asked the Minister for Agriculture the cost of running the Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann head office in Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin; and if there are any plans to decentralise the office and its staff.

The provision and cost of office accommodation, including decentralisation, are Sugar Company management functions.

Will the Minister tell the House the cost of running the sugar division of CSET at head office in Earlsfort Terrace?

I do not have that precise information. The rent from lettings contributes to the running cost, leaving £230,000 to be borne by the company.

Is the Minister in a position to tell the House the number of people working in the Earlsfort Terrace premises?

Had the Deputy been present two weeks ago he would have heard me giving that information to Deputy Treacy. The number mentioned was 160.

Is the building in Earlsfort Terrace owned by CSET?

Yes, it is their property.

And the letting the Minister referred to is one the company is charging their subsidiary, Erin Foods, for?

No, the Central Statistics Office are the main tenants.

Will the Minister accept that at a time when the company is under-capitalised it makes good economic sense to sell the building and have a leaseback agreement?

Certainly, and that is something the company are seriously considering.

Will the Minister be recommending that procedure?

The company have made that position known.

Will the Minister give the overall cost of the head office, taking lettings into consideration?

I am concerned with the major policy decisions of the Sugar Company but the day-to-day running of the concern is a matter for themselves. I do not interfere with them.

How many tenants have they?

The only thing I am aware of is that half of the building is rented to the Central Statistics Office. There may be some other tenants but I do not have those details.