Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
137 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the locations in respect of which the Office of Public Works has entered into contractual arrangements relating to the acquisition of sites or property in the context of the decentralisation programme as announced in December 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33006/04]
View answerTo date, nine property solutions on the decentralisation programme have been agreed in principle. I also confirm that of the order of a further 20 locations are at an advanced stage in the acquisition process. The locations where solutions have been identified are as follows: Carlow, Longford, Newcastle West, Athlone, the Curragh, Sligo, Dundalk, Furbo and Donegal. With regard to Carlow, Longford and Newcastle West, the Chief State Solicitor is processing contract documents in respect of sites and it is expected that the associated acquisition phase will be completed as quickly as possible. Contract documents for Donegal are awaited from the vendor.
State owned land will accommodate the decentralised buildings scheduled for Athlone, the Curragh and Sligo, while the proposed location of the Dundalk building will be on land at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. It is proposed to locate the staff relating to Furbo in an extension to an existing building. I also confirm that the balance of the sites for the remaining locations in the programme are being proactively pursued by the Office of Public Works.
138 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding Thomastown in County Kilkenny as a decentralised location following the recent reports by the decentralisation implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33007/04]
View answerThe report of the decentralisation implementation group entitled, selection of organisations-locations for inclusion in the first phase of moves, published on 24 November 2004 gave details of the locations to be included in the first phase of moves. Thomastown, however, is not among these locations. The full contents of the group's report, including the criteria used to select the first phase locations can be accessed at www.finance.gov.ie. The implementation group will report again in spring 2005 on those locations and organisations not covered in the current report.
139 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to Kilkenny as a decentralised location following the recent reports by the decentralisation implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answerThe report of the decentralisation implementation group entitled Selection of Organisations/Locations for Inclusion in the First Phase of Moves published on 24th November 2004 gave details of the locations to be included in the first phase of moves. Kilkenny, however, is not among these locations. The full contents of the group's report, including the criteria used to select the first phase locations, can be accessed at www.finance.gov.ie. The implementation group will report again in spring 2005 on those locations and organisations not covered in the current report.
