Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 663: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when Enterprise Ireland will have completed its decentralisation to Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24965/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Enterprise Ireland prepared and submitted an implementation plan setting out the agency's approach to implementing the Government's decision on decentralisation to the decentralisation implementation group. Enterprise Ireland has also identified the posts to be transferred and these are advertised as part of the central applications facility, CAF.

The most immediate implementation step for Enterprise Ireland is to provide for a new headquarters building, designed to meet the business needs of the organisation. Working closely with the OPW, Enterprise Ireland reviewed the submissions received by the OPW in the Shannon region and used the OPW's evaluation model to rank expressions of interest. The preferred site, which has now been identified, is a 13 acre site, owned by Shannon Development. The site was valued and a feasibility study carried out.

The site occupies a prime position near the centre of Shannon and is considered suitable for a major landmark building or civic structure related to the town centre. The board of Enterprise Ireland, at its meeting on 8 September 2004, approved the commencement of discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Department of Finance, and agreed to continue discussions with a view to seeking their sanction to proceed with the acquisition of the site and the development as outlined. It is too early to comment definitively on a timescale. The factors of significance in this regard will be the acquisition of property and the level of interest expressed by CAF applicants in the Shannon location.