Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 594: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the individual current and capital budgets allocated by Government, whether through the Office of Public Works or through Departmental and agency budgets, for the provision of new office accommodation for agencies and Departments (details supplied) as part of the decentralisation programme; the status of the process of securing new office accommodation for these agencies and Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23579/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to Question Numbers 456 of 4 February 2008, 36 of 14 February 2008, 12 of 3 April 2008, and 337 of 8 May 2008, in relation to non-property costs arising for my Department in the context of the Decentralisation Programme. Such costs are met from within the annual allocations approved by the Oireachtas for the Vote of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that any property costs arising are a matter for the Office of Public Works.

To date, 101 staff of my Department have transferred to an interim location in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, pending the building of a new headquarters at Charlestown, Co Mayo. The purchase of a site at Charlestown for my Department is currently being finalised. In addition, an extension to existing accommodation at Na Forbacha has recently been completed, on foot of the transfer of a further ten staff to that office of my department under the decentralisation programme. Costs arising, which will be principally borne by the OPW, have yet to be finalised.

In relation to Pobal, a total of 25 staff have transferred to date to an interim location in Clifden, Co Galway, pending the building of new office accommodation there. The purchase of a site for that purpose at Clifden is currently being finalised by the OPW. I understand that the non-property costs incurred to date amount to some €37,600. In addition I am advised that Pobal is paying rental amounting to €81,893 per annum.

In relation to Foras na Gaeilge, the approval of the first tranche of posts for location to Gaothdobhair is being pursued in a North/South framework. The provision of suitable accommodation is also being discussed with Údarás Na Gaeltachta and OPW. No costs have been incurred to date.