Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)

More than 200 did so and the scheme was over-subscribed. Since then, the people involved have contacted me and, presumably, other public representatives, to know when they will be facilitated with office accommodation in Clonakilty, in west Cork. The Office of Public Works was charged with the responsibility for providing office space and it has identified a site in Clonakilty. However, after three years, no successful tender has been awarded for the task of building a facility to date. As the Minister of State is aware, the process of securing planning permission, construction and fitting out can take approximately two years. Hence, this will result in a five year waiting time for the people involved, some of whom have children attending schools and who wish to make appropriate arrangements. I have made the case that interim facilities or arrangements should be made for the people who have already volunteered. Naturally, some are originally from the locality.

Hence I want to hear the Minister of State's views as to what those people who have volunteered to take up employment in west Cork can look forward to. In other words, when will office accommodation be made available for them?

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