Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position in relation to progress and future plans on the decentralisation programme in respect of Drogheda. [24936/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the current decentralisation programme, the Department's Head Quarters, Social Welfare Appeals Office, Information and Communications Technology Division (ICT) and Citizens Information Board are designated to relocate to Drogheda. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is charged with securing accommodation in Drogheda for this Department. That Office has advised that they have purchased sites in Drogheda to accommodate the Department's Headquarters Staff, a new Social Welfare Local Office, the Social Welfare Appeals Office and the Citizens Information Board.

The OPW has advised that the buildings will be procured as a Public Private Partnership Programme using the design, build, finance and maintain model and expect to go to tender by the end of the year. At this time, there is no indicative timeframe from the OPW regarding the availability of accommodation for the ICT Division. The Department is, however, fully committed to fulfilling its obligation under the programme.