asked the Minister for Finance if a building contract has been signed for a new office of the Department of Social Welfare in Limerick city.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick New Social Welfare Office.
12.
Tenders for the construction of a new employment exchange at Dominick Street, Limerick, are being examined. A contract will be placed as soon as possible but I am not in a position at this stage to say how soon that will be.
When were tenders originally received, what was the closing date for tenders and when does the Minister estimate a decision will be taken on the tenders?
I have not the exact date on which tenders were received but from recollection I am sure it was last month. They are being examined at present and a decision will be made as quickly as possible.
(Limerick East): Is the Minister aware of difficulties experienced both by social welfare recipients and staff of the Department of Social Welfare on the existing accommodation in Limerick city and of the urgency of a new building?
I am fully aware of the urgency. The exchange in Limerick is one of a number of new exchanges on a special programme for the provision of new exchanges. It is a very sizeable project in excess of £2 million. We made temporary arrangements heretofore regarding this matter to ensure that special accommodation was made available for women who were signing on in Limerick. I will treat the matter with the utmost urgency to ensure we can proceed as quickly as possible.
(Limerick East): Is there a priority list for the programme the Minister of State has indicated? If so, where does the exchange in Limerick lie on the priority listing?
The exchange in Limerick is virtually nearly at the top of the list.
(Limerick East): What is “at the top of the priority list”?
We do not set the priority list in my Department. That is a matter for the Department of Social Welfare and we respond to the Department of Social Welfare's demands. All I can tell the Deputy is that I would expect that Limerick has been at about No. 3 and it is probably the first big one we are doing. We expect to commence it pretty shortly.