Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2008
232 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the decentralisation of FÁS to Birr, County Offaly; the number of staff decentralised; the number to be decentralised; the timetable for same; the status of property acquisition and the cost involved; when the property will be ready for occupation; the number it will cater for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27821/08]
View answerUnder the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to transfer its head office including some 383 posts to Birr, County Offaly.
FÁS has completed the purchase of 5.59 acres (approximately) in Birr, Co Offaly for about €1.6 million. A Planning Application for the FÁS portion of the site access road and site entrance is currently being progressed.
In the meantime, FÁS has leased a floor of a building within the Birr Technology Centre to accommodate staff in the decentralised location pending the construction and fitting out of a permanent Headquarters. As of June 2008 there were 23 Head Office staff based in these premises, which has capacity for approximately 40 staff.
