Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the proposed decentralisation of his Department's headquarters to Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he will confirm if a contract has been signed for this project; and when work will commence. [35070/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Mullingar element of the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters will take place when new permanent accommodation is ready for occupation.

Over 130 posts in Dublin are now held by officers who will relocate to Mullingar with their posts. Volunteers for decentralisation will be assigned to the remaining posts as the current post-holders transfer out under the Dublin Arrangements or to decentralise to other locations.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has procured a site in Mullingar for the development of the new headquarters of my Department. In December 2007, the OPW announced a preferred tenderer for a bundle of three Public Private Partnerships projects to include my Department's new headquarters in Mullingar. Full planning permission for this development was received in July 2008. The contract has yet to be signed and discussions are underway in this regard.

As the Deputy is aware, following a review of the Decentralisation Programme, the Government has given approval for this project to proceed.