David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the sourcing of a property to house the decentralised Irish Aid operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39473/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the Headquarters of Irish Aid and currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Directorate in Limerick. The OPW has identified a suitable location on Henry Street in Limerick city centre, and has advised my Department that lease terms have been agreed with the developer. The developer has indicated that he is now aiming for the building to be fully fitted out and ready for use in the second half of 2007.

The question of an advance move is now being pursued with the Department of Finance and the OPW. It is proposed that around 30 of the Directorate staff will be in temporary accommodation in Limerick by May of next year. OPW is currently considering a number of options for temporary accommodation in Limerick city.