John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy is aware, my Department was designated by the decentralisation implementation group as one of the "early mover" Departments. The tender process for the permanent building was completed some months ago and OPW selected the preferred bidder — PJ Hegarty & Sons. Planning permission has been granted. I am advised by the OPW that construction of the new building is expected to commence before the end of the year and the anticipated completion date is early 2008.

In the meantime, an advance group of 42 staff relocated to temporary accommodation at Fossa, Killarney, in September. The temporary premises is capable of accommodating up to 70 staff and following a bedding down period, consideration will be given to transferring further units of my Department on a phased basis, ultimately leading to the relocation of 130 staff to the permanent accommodation in early 2008.

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