I am informed by the OPW that of the total allocation of €833 million provided in the NDP for decentralisation, an amount of €773 million represents the estimated cost of providing accommodation for the departments and agencies whose accommodation will be paid for by the OPW. My Department and the agencies in the education sector that are decentralising (National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA), National Education Welfare Board (NEWB), National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), Higher Education & Training Awards Council (HETAC), Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC) and Higher Education Authority (HEA)) are included among those departments/agencies whose accommodation will be paid for by the OPW.
I understand from the OPW that property solutions are being pursued in respect of some remaining locations being funded through the OPW vote and firm scale costs will emerge on foot of actual cost proposals being received from the market. I further understand that the OPW has indicated that it is not possible to give definitive costings in advance of final agreement on specific proposals. OPW expects however that overall costs will remain within the published estimate figures.
The following tabular statement illustrates the status of the process of securing new office accommodation for my Department and its agencies.
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Location
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Dept/Agency
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Status
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Athlone
|
Education & Science
|
New building occupied
|
|
Mullingar
|
Education & Science
|
At successful tender stage
|
|
Athlone
|
HEA
|
Solution to be identified
|
|
Portarlington
|
NEWB and NCCA
|
Proposed building under consideration
|
|
Edenderry
|
NQAI, HETAC, FETAC
|
Site purchased
|
