Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2009
82 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if the necessary finance has been provided to enable the construction of his Department offices in Mullingar, County Westmeath to commence; if he will confirm that a contractor has been selected to commence the construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9407/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of key projects were identified as priority elements of the decentralisation programme in the Government announcement of 14 October 2008. The construction of a new headquarters building in Mullingar for the Department of Education and Science, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Portlaoise and a new decentralised office for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow was one of the projects given priority status.
The proposed decentralised offices in the above three locations are being procured by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract.
Planning permissions have been received for the three buildings, and discussions are proceeding with the successful tenderer with a view to finalising financial closure and contract signing.
