OPW: Office of Public Works
Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí
Facilities and Event Management Unit
The Facilities and Event Management Unit is primarily responsible for the management of a number of prominent State properties that are used to provide facilities for State functions and hospitality. The management of Dublin Castle and its Conference Centre and Farmleigh forms the core of the Unit. Other properties managed by the Unit include Arás an Uachtarán, the Marlborough Street complex of the Department of Education and Science, the North Range of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Castletown House and Kilkenny Castle.
The nature of the service may vary depending on the character of the property. It typically includes interpretation and guided tours, grounds maintenance, security and general co-ordination of all necessary services for the upkeep and running of the properties. The Unit also carries out an important management role in relation to conservation issues relevant to the historic properties and their contents.
The management of major State events such as the National Day of Commemoration, the 2006 commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising and State funerals are part of the service provided by the Unit.
In addition, the Unit has a role in relation to planning, co-ordinating and overseeing the provision of facilities management services at a number of key, new developments such as the Department of Agriculture and State laboratories at Backweston, the Northside Civic Centre at Coolock and the decentralised Government Offices in Roscommon.
Overall strategic objective:
The primary objective of the Unit is to continue developing and improving the service delivered by all operational areas with the aim of achieving the highest possible standards of service excellence and customer satisfaction. This objective is pursued with a clear focus on managing within available resources and ensuring ongoing value for money and efficiency in the delivery of services.