Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I have good news for Deputy Hogan. In the case of Thomastown, as he will be aware, there are 110 posts moving to Thomastown. To date, 62 people have expressed an interest in transferring to Thomastown. The authority has been advised by OPW that as the site procurement is in the final stages, the current time-line for availability for occupancy is mid 2008.

Between now and then, the authority has informed me that it hopes to have an office fit for occupancy by May of this year. All staff who move in the interim to Kilkenny city will transfer to Thomastown when the premises have been completed. That is good news for Kilkenny.

See this speech in context