MORE than 400 parking spaces are allocated for government employees in central Douglas, figures released in Tynwald show.
In a written reply to a question from David Quirk MHK (Onchan), Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK revealed that the value of the car parking spaces available to government employees in central Douglas offices was estimated to be in the region of £1,000 to £1,300 per space, per year.
Mr Bell said data in relation to the overall number of car parking spaces available to staff within government was not readily available and he believed it would be a time-consuming and difficult exercise for officers to collate all that information.
Data was more readily available, however, on parking available for government employees in central Douglas offices.
The Department of Infrastructure has 34 spaces, the Department of Economic Development 57, the Department of Education and Children 33, the Department of Home Affairs (excluding 25 at Homefield) 29, the Department of Social Care 93, the Department of Health (Crookall/Yn Alban only) 56, the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure seven and the Treasury 92.
These figures exclude those spaces allocated to members at Central Government Office. Mr Bell added: ‘As there are significantly less available spaces than employees in Central Douglas, car parking spaces may be allocated to more than one individual at any time and also for pool vehicles.
‘In other instances parking spaces are unallocated and permit-holders only able to park if there is available space. As such, quantifying data by reference to individual employees with allocated spaces is not readily available.
He added that there are additional car parking spaces in Douglas available to statutory boards and offices.
Mr Quirk asked whether he was concerned about the loss of revenue from 24 spaces at the rear of the Government Offices which are available for use by government staff.
Mr Bell replied that it would seem sensible to allow government officers to park in these spaces rather than contract with the private sector for additional spaces for essential users.