Office of Public Works
Encyclopedia
The Office of Public Works (OPW) (legally the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, though the full title is rarely used) is a State Agency
of the Department of Finance
in the Republic of Ireland
. Its chief responsibility is the ownership, upkeep, and maintenance of Government of Ireland and historic buildings in the Republic of Ireland
.
, procurement
and printing
services for government. The office also historically had responsibility for drainage schemes and other large civil and public engineering projects. The office is in charge of the Government Supplies Agency which issues the Irish Statute Book and in particular the Iris Oifigiúil
magazine.
, under the terms of the Heritage Act 1995. Duchas adopted a stylised version of the traditional OPW logo, with the OPW changing its logo to match its new focus on its buildings and maintenance functions. In 2003 this body, which had been an Executive Agency of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
, was wound up and most of its functions transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government) http://www.bajr.org/DiggerMagazine/TheDigger29/article4.html. They are now operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
, a section within the department http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/AboutUs/. Functions not transferred to NPWS reverted to being OPW functions, which mainly relate to built heritage sites.
has overall responsibility for the organisation. The organisation is unique in the Irish public sector, in that it is the only body other than a Department of State with a specific minister with responsibility for it, the Minister of State
at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (currently Brian Hayes
TD
). The Commissioners comprise a Chairman and two other Commissioners. The staff of the organisation comprise part of the Civil Service of the State
.
Public service of the Republic of Ireland
The public service of Ireland consists of agencies which, while not formally part of a Department of State, provide services on behalf of the government...
of the Department of Finance
Department of Finance (Ireland)
The Department of Finance is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Finance and is assisted by one Minister of State....
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Its chief responsibility is the ownership, upkeep, and maintenance of Government of Ireland and historic buildings in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Role
The agency also provides electionElection
An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
, procurement
Procurement
Procurement is the acquisition of goods or services. It is favourable that the goods/services are appropriate and that they are procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs of the purchaser in terms of quality and quantity, time, and location...
and printing
Printing
Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....
services for government. The office also historically had responsibility for drainage schemes and other large civil and public engineering projects. The office is in charge of the Government Supplies Agency which issues the Irish Statute Book and in particular the Iris Oifigiúil
Iris Oifigiúil
Iris Oifigiúil replaced the former Dublin Gazette on 31 January 1922 as the official newspaper of record of the Irish Free State, the state which has since become known as Ireland....
magazine.
History
The office was created on 15 October 1831, initially it was known as the Board of Works. It was formed out of the merger of the Office of the Surveyor-General for Ireland, the Barracks Board, and Navigation Board. The OPW had responsibility for the majority of heritage sites in Ireland prior to 1996. In 1996 the management of most of these sites was transferred to a separate agency, Dúchas - The Heritage ServiceDúchas
Dúchas – The Heritage Service was the Irish State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties. It was established under the Heritage Act 1995 and took over responsibility for the management of national parks and wildlife from the Office of Public Works...
, under the terms of the Heritage Act 1995. Duchas adopted a stylised version of the traditional OPW logo, with the OPW changing its logo to match its new focus on its buildings and maintenance functions. In 2003 this body, which had been an Executive Agency of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (Ireland)
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is a department of the Government of Ireland. The mission of the department is to contribute to the economic, social and cultural progress of Irish society and the enrichment of its quality of life through promoting sustainable tourism;...
, was wound up and most of its functions transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government) http://www.bajr.org/DiggerMagazine/TheDigger29/article4.html. They are now operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service manages the Irish State's nature conservation responsibilities. It is part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government....
, a section within the department http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/AboutUs/. Functions not transferred to NPWS reverted to being OPW functions, which mainly relate to built heritage sites.
Organisation
The Minister for FinanceMinister for Finance (Ireland)
The Minister for Finance is the title held by the Irish government minister responsible for all financial and monetary matters. The office-holder controls the Department of Finance and is considered one of the most important members of the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Finance is...
has overall responsibility for the organisation. The organisation is unique in the Irish public sector, in that it is the only body other than a Department of State with a specific minister with responsibility for it, the Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (currently Brian Hayes
Brian Hayes (politician)
Brian Hayes is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South West constituency and also the Minister of State at the Department of Finance.-Early life:...
TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
). The Commissioners comprise a Chairman and two other Commissioners. The staff of the organisation comprise part of the Civil Service of the State
Civil service of the Republic of Ireland
The Civil Service of Ireland is the collective term for the permanent staff of the Departments of State and certain State Agencies who advise and work for the Government of Ireland. It consists of two broad components, the Civil Service of the Government and the Civil Service of the State...
.