Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Finance the position on the decentralisation programme specifically for County Meath; the timeline on the delivery of jobs to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40955/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in relation to their decentralisation of 349 posts to Trim, Co Meath that a preferred tenderer has been selected. A planning application was lodged with Meath County Council and Trim Town Council in late October 2006. Subject to the receipt of satisfactory planning permission, the preferred tenderer will be instructed to prepare working drawings and a bill of quantities with a view to a contract being placed and construction work commencing on site. As published in the Decentralisation Implementation Group Report of September 2006 the indicative date for completion of the building is end 2008.

In October 2006 the Government accepted Revenue's proposal to relocate approximately 100 posts to Navan, Co. Meath as an expansion to their Decentralisation Programme. The Public Appointments Service has amended the Central Applications Facility to include the new Revenue location. This facility became available from 27 November for Revenue staff and will become available for all other applicants from 11 December next, in line with agreed protocols. Formal offers will issue in early January 2007. The OPW are currently in the process of identifying a suitable property solution. Progress on the movement of staff to Navan, Co. Meath is dependent on the availability of suitable accommodation. Subject to this an indicative timeframe for occupation is mid 2007.