Monaghan County Council’s elected members today approved the development of new Civic Offices at Roosky, Monaghan Town, following a Special Meeting of the Council convened to consider the Final Business Case and tender recommendation for the project. The decision authorises the Council to proceed to contract award and implementation.
The proposed development will provide a purpose-built civic headquarters of approximately 5,700 square metres, bringing together Council staff and services currently operating from multiple locations across Monaghan Town into a single modern and accessible facility. The development will include a Council Chamber, public service reception area, meeting rooms, office accommodation, civic facilities, parking, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.
The approved funding model includes a borrowing facility of €38 million, together with revenue provisions and other Council funding sources identified within the Final Business Case. The total estimated project cost outlined in the business case is €43.6 million, with additional allowances for fixtures and fittings, associated infrastructure works and project contingencies.
The project has progressed through several approval stages over recent years, including approval of the Preliminary Business Case in 2021, approval of the preliminary design and borrowing proposal in 2022, and Part 8 Planning approval in 2024. The Final Business Case identified a clear need for investment in modern civic accommodation. Members were advised that, if the project did not proceed, the Council would continue to incur significant accommodation costs, with rental costs projected to reach approximately €24.2 million over the next 30 years. The business case also identified an estimated €12 million capital cost to upgrade the existing Glen headquarters, excluding costs associated with temporary staff relocation, rental accommodation, IT relocation and service disruption during refurbishment works.
The proposed Civic Offices will consolidate services currently spread across multiple sites into a single purpose-built facility, improving accessibility, customer service and operational efficiency. The Final Business Case noted that several existing Council buildings present challenges in relation to energy performance, ongoing maintenance requirements and future retrofit costs, while the new Civic Offices will be delivered as a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) designed to support long-term sustainability, improved energy efficiency and lower operating costs. The business case estimates operational savings of approximately €648,000 per annum through the consolidation of accommodation and services.
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr Aidan Campbell, said:
“Today’s decision follows detailed consideration of the Final Business Case and the information presented to elected members over a number of years. Members have approved a project that is intended to address long-standing accommodation challenges, improve access to Council services and provide modern civic facilities for County Monaghan. The decision reflects the importance of ensuring that local government services are delivered from facilities that are accessible, efficient and fit for purpose.”
Chief Executive Robert Burns said:
“The approval of this project provides clarity on a long-term accommodation strategy for Monaghan County Council and allows the organisation to move forward with the delivery phase of the development. The new Civic Offices will provide a modern, accessible and energy-efficient headquarters capable of supporting service delivery, local democracy and organisational needs into the future.
The project has undergone extensive assessment, design development, procurement, and financial appraisal over a number of years. The focus now will be on progressing the necessary contractual and governance processes and ensuring the project is delivered in a planned and sustainable manner.”
Subject to the completion of contractual processes, construction is expected to commence later this year, with completion and occupation anticipated in 2029.