In reply to a similar question on 31 January 1991, I gave details of my Department's building programme to provide new offices and to improve existing offices in terms of facilities and privacy. I am glad to say that progress continues to be made on this programme.
Recently the final phase of the Letterkenny decentralisation project was completed with the transfer of the staff dealing with the treatment benefit scheme. Two other major projects completed in the past two years were the pensions services office in Sligo and the social welfare appeals office in Dublin — all offices of a very high standard.
Already this year, a new office has been opened in Limerick, bringing to 16 the number completed in recent years. Work on a new office at Ennis is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for fitting-out about the end of July. In addition, I expect that work on a new office at Finglas, Dublin will commence within the next few weeks. Planning for offices at Tallaght and Navan Road, Dublin and in Kilkenny is proceeding and I expect building work to start before the end of the year. New offices will also be provided in conjunction with the Government's proposed decentralisation projects at Wexford and Longford. In any other area where my Department have an office and where new decentralised premises are being constructed, I will where necessary, be seeking to have a new social welfare services office included in the plans. I am also considering proposals for other new offices to replace existing accommodation and extend services to new ones.
The building programme also includes refurbishment of existing offices, where appropriate, and to date ten projects have been completed. Work on the refurbishment of the office in Cavan is already underway and I expect that work on projects at Athlone, Carlow and Mullingar will start later this year.
I am determined that the progress already made in improving the standard of my Department's accommodation will be maintained and in this regard, the programme will be advanced as quickly as financial and technical resources will allow.