Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has procured a site for decentralised offices at a location (details supplied) in County Laois; the contractual arrangements entered into for these new offices; the amount of office space required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30123/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The site referred to will be situated close to the town centre on a site acquired from the Industrial Development Agency on a 999-year lease. The project is being undertaken pursuant to the Government's Decentralisation Programme and will comprise approximately 20,000 square metres in office and ancillary space. The project will be delivered as part of a major PPP contract that also involves the provision of office accommodation for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow and the Department of Education and Science in Mullingar. Following evaluation of Expressions of Interest received from developers, five candidates were short-listed and were invited to submit tenders. Tenders were received in September 2007 and are currently being examined. It is anticipated that a successful tenderer will be selected by the end of the year. The successful tenderer will be required to apply for planning permission in respect of the three locations prior to awarding of the contract.