Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of submissions for the provision of facilities under the decentralisation proposals in Birr, Tullamore, Edenderry, Portarlington and Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The number of property decentralisation proposals received by the Office of Public Works in respect of Birr, Tullamore, Edenderry Portarlington and Portlaoise is as follows:

These proposals, which include both offers of sites and buildings, are currently being analysed. This analysis includes local inspections which are currently being carried out.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Finance the criteria to be used in deciding the location which will be chosen for decentralisation in each of the appointed towns; the amount of points allocated for each criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5013/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Office of Public Works has received of the order of 700 proposed property solutions in respect of the decentralisation programme. These proposals include offers of sites or existing buildings or proposals to build. The assessment of these proposals is now underway. The main criteria by which they will be evaluated were set out in the advertisement, seeking property solutions, which was placed by the OPW in the newspapers at the end of last year. They are as follows:

1. the proposed cost of the accommodation offered either by way of lease, outright purchase or on a deferred purchase basis; 2. the proposed time scale within which the accommodation can be provided; 3. the quality of the design and specification; 4. the potential for future expansion exhibited by any proposed site or building; 5. the proximity of the site/building to amenities and any available transportation node; 6. the practicality of any car parking proposal submitted in relation to the site/building; and 7. premises should comply where appropriate with all relevant sections of the Health and Safety Acts, the building regulations and the Planning Acts and should be fully accessible to persons with disabilities.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Finance the criteria for deciding whether to purchase or lease a site or building for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5014/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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Over 700 proposed property solutions have been received by the Office of Public Works in relation to the decentralisation programme. These proposals include offers of sites or existing buildings or proposals to build. No negotiations to either lease or purchase properties will be entered into by the OPW until all the proposals received, as well as all options to use State-owned properties, have been assessed and evaluated. The decision to lease, purchase or build ultimately will depend on the specific range of proposals available for each of the decentralised locations.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Finance the Department responsible for making decisions in relation to the selection of sites for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/04]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Office of Public Works will decide on the suitability of decentralisation programme sites in consultation, as appropriate, with the Department/body scheduled for decentralisation.