Site Acquisitions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005

Tuesday, 15 February 2005

Questions (458)

John McGuinness

Question:

513 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a property solution has been identified for the proposed Government offices in Kilkenny city; if he will confirm the numbers of staff involved in each; the number who have offered to transfer; the steps he is taking to promote both locations; if local interest groups can assist the Department in marketing the locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4892/05]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

The present position regarding office accommodation for my Department's decentralised office in Kilkenny is that the Office of Public Works is evaluating a number of options in Kilkenny and this process has yet to be finalised. A total of 77 applications had been received at the central applications facility, CAF, priority cut-off date on 7 September 2004 in respect of the 62 posts to be decentralised. My Department has published on its website, www.enriron.ie, a fact-sheet which includes information on services and facilities available in Kilkenny such as schools, housing and other amenities. In accordance with the recommendations of the decentralisation implementation group, my Department will be setting up small planning groups in conjunction with local interests to help facilitate staff locating to Kilkenny when the timescale for transfer becomes clearer.