asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the present use being made by his Department of the Irish Worsted Mills building in Portlaoise, County Laois, which they purchased last year; the projected plans for its use; and how soon it will be in full use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoise Building Use.
22.
The district engineer and some of his staff are at present housed in this building. It is proposed to develop the premises as an area telecommunications headquarters and automanual telephone exchange and plans to adapt it for these purposes are at present under consideration. It is not possible at this stage to say when the premises will be fully utilised.
Is the Minister aware that there is considerable difficulty among his staff in relation to the first projected proposal in this regard, the creation of the area telecommunications headquarters there? Is it possible that this will be in operation during the course of the present year?
My Department are concerned about this matter but this concerns not merely my Department but primarily, at this stage, the Office of Public Works which has been requested to carry out adaptation works to the premises. Their present advice is that it is not possible until the proposal is studied in more detail to give any reliable forecast as to when the works are likely to be carried out. Every effort will be made to expedite the necessary works.
Can the Minister indicate if his Department have the cash available and if they are anxious to go ahead with the work in the present calendar year?
Yes.