Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 97 together.

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to transfer its head office including some 383 posts to Birr, County Offaly, by 2009.

FÁS currently has 20 staff members based in Birr who are working out of offices located within the Birr Technology Centre. It is anticipated that 40 staff will be located in Birr by the end of the year. The offices in the technology centre have been rented on a five year lease from May this year.

Following the completion of all legal formalities earlier this month FÁS has now completed the purchase of a site in Birr, County Offaly in connection with the decentralisation of its headquarters. An application for planning permission is currently being prepared and will be submitted in due course.

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