The Government Publications Office bookshop on Molesworth Street in Dublin is to close later this month.
The decision, which is expected to lead to savings of about €400,000, was taken because of declines in the number of hard copies of Government publications being sold, according to Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Brian Hayes.
“The nature of publishing has changed dramatically in recent years leading to the decline,” he said. “The general move to electronic-only publishing, increased use of the internet and the economic downturn have resulted in a much-reduced footfall to the shop.”
Sales revenue at the shop has declined by more than 50 per cent since 2008. Most of the publications are sold by a call centre, also operated by the OPW, and most are available on State websites as PDF files. “There will be savings achieved in surrendering the lease, but also ancillary staff and logistical savings arising from this decision.”
Among the publications sold are: Dáil and Seanad debates; Central Statistics Office reports; architecture and archaeological publications; the official State journal Iris Oifigiúil; and copies of the Constitution. It has also sold tribunal and special reports. Huge queues formed outside the shop in 2002 when the Ansbacher report, identifying 200 account holders of the offshore bank, was published. There was similar interest in the first report of the planning tribunal. The shop will close on November 23rd.
