Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for providing time on the Adjournment for me to be updated on the major announcement that was made by the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, in the budget of 2004. To have the head office of the Department of Education and Science with the Minister in situ in the town of Mullingar is of major importance. It was one of the main announcements made by this Government during its term of office and it is of major significance in terms of the potential surrounding one of the biggest spending Departments being located in one of the premier towns in the midlands.

With salaries totalling €12 million and a workforce of 300, along with it being the permanent seat of the Minister for Education and Science, regardless of what Administration is in power, this initiative is certainly a boost to Mullingar and to members of the business community there. Many of these are family businesses which have been in operation for three or four generations.

Some 6,000 people travel from County Westmeath to work in Dublin every day. It is great that Dublin can give employment to the people of Westmeath. Nonetheless, I have been inundated over the past month or so with queries from at least 70 people wanting to know when the Department will finally decide on the site in Mullingar. When one considers the amount of time spent sitting in a car travelling up and down to Dublin every day, it would be a Godsend for those people who have proven themselves in the Civil Service, to return and work in Mullingar.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, for taking the Adjournment matter. Will he outline whether a site has been agreed? If so, have the contract documents or the heads of agreement been agreed? We are all waiting in hope because we have been told that departmental offices in Carlow, Portlaoise in the Minister of State's constituency, and Mullingar will have the same contractor. We do not want to be in a triangle that may hold up progress for the people of Carlow town or Portlaoise, as well as ourselves in Mullingar. I wish to know from the Minister of State whether a site has been identified, contract documents agreed and the initial heads of agreement signed. If so, have any of the various tests that must take place on the site, such as an archaeological dig or whatever, taken place at Mullingar?

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government's decentralisation programme envisages that the headquarters of the Department of Education and Science is to be relocated to Mullingar, County Westmeath. The total number of posts to be decentralised to Mullingar is 300. These numbers will provide a significant and welcome economic boost to the town of Mullingar.

The Office of Public Works has the task of sourcing suitable property solutions to meet the requirements of decentralising Departments and Government agencies throughout the country. The OPW has made good progress in this regard. To date it has completed or significantly advanced property acquisition negotiations in 37 of the 50 locations targeted under the decentralisation programme. Sites for the balance of the decentralisation locations are being actively pursued. The OPW has also been successful in identifying temporary solutions for advance parties in 26 locations.

In the case of Mullingar, a suitable site has now been identified and terms have been agreed. Contracts for sale are currently being processed by the Chief State Solicitor. I am not at liberty at this stage, unfortunately, to reveal the location of the site or any other details. When the contracts are completed by both parties all relevant matters will, of course, be disclosed.

Regarding the construction of the building in Mullingar, it has been decided that it will be part of a major PPP project which will include the provision of office accommodation for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow and the Department of Agriculture and Food in Portlaoise. Expressions of interest have already been received from experienced developers and contractors.

The project will be procured on a design, build, finance, maintain basis and a single contract will be placed covering the three buildings. Financial advice is being provided to the OPW by the National Development Finance Agency. Evaluations of expressions of interest are nearing completion and the OPW expects to be in a position to invite tenders in the near future. When selected it will be a matter for the preferred tenderer to secure satisfactory planning permission in respect of each of the locations. On receipt of satisfactory planning permission, the preferred tenderer will be instructed to prepare working drawings, specifications and bills of quantities with a view to a contract being placed and construction work commencing on the three sites. Construction in each case, including Mullingar, is expected to be completed in 2009.