andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Finance when the transfer of the Departments of Lands-and Education to Castlebar and Athlone, respectively, will become effective.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Departments Transfer.
9.
The date for the transfer of the staffs involved will be determined primarily by the period needed for construction of the new office buildings at Athlone and Castlebar. It is expected that tenders will be sought for the Castlebar buildings in January, 1973, and for the Athlone project three to four weeks later. Both offices should be ready about the middle of 1975.
Could the Minister say if the project for Athlone will use all the land which has been reserved, or will there be surplus land?
I could not answer that offhand but I think it is unlikely all the land will be used in the first instance.
Will the plans in respect of which it is proposed to seek tenders provide buildings of sufficient size to enable the transfer of the entire Department?
Not in the first instance.
Can the Minister tell me the proportion of the Department which will be going to Athlone?
On previous occasions I gave some indication of the basis on which this transfer will be carried out. I have not available to me at the moment precise details but I can say the general intention is that certain sections of the Department will be transferred in the first instance.
Can the Minister say if consent has been obtained from the civil servants concerned?
Arrangements in that respect are going ahead and we are quite satisfied the arrangements being made will not present any difficulty from the point of view of the Civil Service associations.
Are the plans in respect of which tenders are being sought for a section or for the whole project?
As I have already said, they are not plans at this stage for the transfer of the entire Department.
Has the Minister any idea of the approximate numbers involved?
I would be only guessing at the moment but I can say the number is fairly substantial.