merrion street

Minister Hyes is pictured speaking at the launch of the Property Asset Management Delivery Plan

Public Works Minister Brian Hayes today launched the Property Asset Management Plan “Accommodating Change – Measuring Success”.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said:

After people, property is the largest driver of costs across the Public Service. Effective property asset management is key to reducing costs on public service delivery. I am pleased that my Office, the OPW, has achieved annual savings of over €30m euro to the State by reducing leases and office spaces everywhere they are not required. This is one full year ahead of target and represents substantial progress in this area

The Minister went on to say:

For the first time, all Government Departments will have to take account of the implications for accommodation in their Strategy Statements and business plans. Other actions include the establishment of a Property Managers’ Network and the adoption of European standards for facility management . A new web-mapping register will show core data for all State buildings and lands while the highly successful Optimising Power at Work programme will be rolled out to more State buildings.

The Minister concluded:

We have to look at new models of funding public buildings. We have buildings of real value, which require investment. I want to see how this value can be realised in terms of a public private partnership approach, which will be good for both the public and private sectors. This Autumn the OPW will host a public consultation with the industry on how best to develop workable funding models. In addition, the newly established Office of Government Procurement (OGP) will be looking at ways to outsource significant elements of facilities management, i.e., building maintenance and management.

Read the full press release

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