Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has entered contracts for either permanent or temporary accommodation for the decentralisation of the Department of Education and Science to Mullingar, County Westmeath; when he expects these buildings to be occupied; the staffing capacity of such buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23582/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Office of Public Works has identified a suitable site in Mullingar town centre and negotiations to acquire it are at an advanced stage. Contracts will only be entered into when all terms have been agreed and legal documentation is to the satisfaction of the Chief State Solicitor. The building, when built will accommodate 305 Department of Education staff and will have sufficient scope to cater for some 10% future expansion if required.

While there has been some examination by the Department of Education, of the feasibility of relocating a number of the posts scheduled to decentralise to temporary accommodation in Mullingar in advance of the main move, no decision has been taken by the Department on this matter to date. At this point in time, a target date of first quarter 2009 is in place for the completion of the construction of the accommodation in Mullingar. This timetable is contingent on a successful outcome to the tender competition which will follow on the call for expressions of interest, on planning permission being obtained and on no delays being experienced during the architectural planning and construction stages.