Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department will be able to meet the end of 2007 deadline he recently set for its full decentralisation to Knock; the staged decentralisation of staff in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36933/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Preparation for the relocation of my Department to Knock Airport is an ongoing process and I have every confidence that the deadline of the end of 2007 will be met. As part of this process, my Department is planning to relocate up to 70 posts — about 40% of the total — in advance of the main move subject, inter alia, to the availability of suitable temporary accommodation in the general area. My Department and the Office of Public Works are currently seeking to source suitable accommodation and I hope that this advance move can take place from mid-2006.

The Office of Public Works is also in the process of finalising the purchase of a site for a permanent headquarters building for my Department. I am informed that it is expected that a competition will be advertised shortly for the design and building of the headquarters and that work on site should begin in the second quarter of next year. All necessary work on the building is scheduled to be completed in time for staff to move to Knock Airport by the 2007 deadline.