Seamus Kirk
Question:191 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the programme of work which the Office of Public Works have in County Louth for the next one to two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18262/00]
Written Answers. - Office of Public Works' Programme.
On Dundalk Government offices – decentralisation, planning permission is expected shortly for this development on a site adjoining the county offices and the new municipal swimming pool. It is expected that the Commissioners of Public Works and the developer, M/s Sisk,will sign a contract in August 2000. Work is programmed to start on site in September 2000. The construction period is approximately 17 months. The building will be occupied early in 2002 mainly by staff from the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and the probation and welfare service of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The Dundalk Garda Station project will involve the conversion of the attic of the Garda station to accommodate a radio/CCTV room. This project is currently at sketch scheme stage. The cost estimate is £200,000.
The Office of Public Works will carry out the following arterial drainage work in County Louth in the next one to two years:
Arterial drainage maintenance; Glyde and Dee drainage scheme; maintenance of approximately 50 km of scheme channels per annum; maintenance of a significant number of accommodation bridges and maintenance of coastal embankments in Annagassan.
On the Asbestos Management programme there are a total of 89 schools in County Louth – 73 primary and 16 post-primary. To date surveys have been carried out in four, namely, Donacarney NS Drogheda; Bush post-primary, Riverstown; St Laurence's Community College, Drogheda and St. Oliver Plunkett NS Blackrock. All asbestos removal works, which are necessary in three only, are in the course of being commissioned or are in progress. The main County Louth schools survey will be carried out in autumn 2000 with a view to having works carried out in 2001. Surveys of Office of Public Works owned buildings will take place in 2002.
On the driving test centre/Revenue (Custom Office) the commissioners plan to develop a State owned site at Newry Road, Dundalk, for use by Revenue (customs), who currently occupy a small part of it, and as a new driving test centre. It is hoped to complete the project by early 2002. This will supplement the main development adjacent to the civic offices. The commissioners will then be in a position to dispose of a number of leased premised in Dundalk.