Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 October 2007
311 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the decentralisation of part of his Department to Waterford City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23106/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the decentralisation programme, all Dublin based operations of my Department are being decentralised, with the exception of Met Éireann, ENFO, the Private Rented Tenancies Board and a small co-ordination section which it is proposed to retain in Dublin to assist with the Department's Dáil and other business. A total of 682 Dublin based posts will be transferred to four locations in the South East: Wexford (270 posts); Waterford (225 posts); New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts).
The OPW has identified a suitable site in Waterford City for the Department's offices and purchase terms have been agreed with Waterford City Council. The contract of sale for the 2.9 acre site located at Bolton Street/Catherine Street is being finalised. It is hoped to go to tender for the construction of the offices, as part of a larger mixed development in 2008.
The indicative timescale for the completion of the Department's offices in Waterford as outlined in the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) report published on 8 October is Quarter 3 2010.
