asked the Minister for Finance the grounds on which a decision was made to offer for sale the sites acquired by the Office of Public Works for the decentralisation programme; if sites have been sold; and if so, the prices.
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
367.
Following the cancellation by the Government of the decentralisation programme in February 1983, it was decided that the sites purchased for that programme, which were surplus to State requirements, would be disposed of on the open market. The site at Ennis together with a portion of the site at Ballina are being retained for Government offices and that at Letterkenny for Garda accommodation. The portion of the Ballina site not required for Government offices is being disposed of to Ballina Urban District Council. Arrangements are being made for the disposal of the sites at Killarney and Sligo. The Killarney site has been advertised for sale and it is expected that the Sligo site will also be advertised for sale before the end of the year.
368.
asked the Minister for Finance the plans he has for the site acquired at Ballina, County Mayo, for the decentralisation programme; if it will be used for the construction of offices to cater for existing personnel in various offices in Ballina; and when work will commence on the project.
A portion of the former decentralisation site at Ballina is being disposed of to Ballina Urban District Council. The balance of the site is to be used for the provision of regional offices for existing Government staff in Ballina. It is not possible at this stage to say when work will commence on the provision of the new offices.