| answer text |
<p /> <p /> <p>Since 1998 the Department occupies the majority of its accommodation
under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) known as the PRIME Contract. Under the terms
of the contract, the Department sold all its property interests (and risk) to our
Estates private sector partner, Telereal Trillium. The Department does not, therefore,
own any property but occupies fully serviced accommodation in return for the payment
of a unitary charge.</p><p> </p><p>The unitary charge includes payment for all Life
Cycle Works which covers the maintenance and upkeep of facilities including interior
redecoration. It is not possible to disaggregate the costs for individual maintenance
tasks.</p><p> </p><p>We have not spent any monies (outside of the unitary charge)
on refurbishing (a) gymnasium and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior
decoration in 2013 or 2014 to date.</p>
|
 |
