Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 705: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the decentralisation of Ordnance Survey Ireland to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme, 199 posts in Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) are due to transfer to Dungarvan, County Waterford. At present 16 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the announcement of the Programme and some 57 staff have a relocation clause in their employment contract.

The Government has always recognised that the State agency aspect of the Programme presents different challenges from that of the Civil Service but is determined to make progress towards the objectives announced in December 2003. With a view to further advancing this element of the Programme, the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) is engaging in a round of meetings with each agency's CEO and the Secretary General of its parent Department.

I understand that a site has been purchased by the OPW and that OSi has agreed the details of the accommodation brief for the new headquarters building with them. It is expected that tender documents will be completed and tenders invited later this month. Following receipt and evaluation of tenders, the preferred tenderer will be selected and required to submit an application for planning permission. On receipt of satisfactory planning permission the preferred tenderer will be asked to prepare contract documentation in order to enable a contract to be placed. Construction work will commence on the site thereafter.