Michael J Collins (Limerick West, Independent)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the building project in Newcastle West, County Limerick, where the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are to locate as part of the decentralisation programme; and the status of the planning application to Limerick County Council to erect the new buildings. [6411/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that a site for the new decentralised offices in Newcastle West was purchased from Limerick County Council in 2005. In common with other projects in the Decentralisation Programme, following receipt and evaluation of Expressions of Interest, tenders for the proposed building were invited by the OPW from a number of contractors on a design/build basis and a preferred tenderer was identified.

A planning application was lodged by the preferred tenderer with Limerick County Council in October 2006. In December 2006, additional information was requested by the Council in relation to the foul sewer, the site boundaries and the front elevation of the proposed building. Also requested by the Council was a comprehensive historical study and comprehensive record drawings and a photographic study relating to certain existing buildings which were on the site at the time of purchase. In the interests of moving the project forward, the OPW is assisting the preferred tenderer in providing the additional information. It is expected that the additional information will by submitted to the Council this week and a decision on the planning application will be due within four weeks of the date the additional information is lodged.

On receipt of a satisfactory planning permission, the OPW will endeavour to have the working drawings and other necessary documents completed by the preferred tenderer with a view to a contract being placed and work commencing on site at the earliest possible date.