Vol. 562 No. 4
397 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost of refurbishing the proposed Probation and Welfare Office at Donaghmede Shopping Centre; when he expects same to be completed; if the agreed rent of ?152,368 per annum has been paid since the signing of the lease on 1 June 2001; and the total amount that has been paid to date. [6332/03]
I understand from the Office of Public Works, which is responsible for the refurbishment and fitting-out of this premises, that a request for tenders was issued on 14 February. The closing date for receipt of tenders is 14 March. I have been advised by the Office of Public Works that contractors should be on site before the end of April and refurbishment is expected to be completed by October 2003. The Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works will not, for commercially sensitive reasons, disclose the estimated cost of the refurbishment prior to placing a contract. The rent of €152,368 per annum which was agreed by the Office of Public Works has been paid by that office since 1 June 2001. A total of €266,645 has been paid to date.
