John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decentralisation of Government offices to Claremorris, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11173/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) commenced operations in the OPW advance office in Claremorris in September 2007, and this office has a current staffing compliment of 30. OPW has also acquired the site for their permanent decentralised office in Claremorris.

It is planned to progress the Claremorris decentralisation project on a phased basis. Phase One will provide an office for 104 posts, which includes the posts in the advance office. Phase Two, involving an additional 38 posts, is deferred pending review in 2011.

Contract documents, based on a design and build framework, are currently being finalised with a view to tenders being invited in the near future. Following receipt and evaluation of the tenders, a Preferred Tenderer will be selected. The Preferred Tenderer will then be instructed to apply for Planning Permission. Subject to receipt of a satisfactory Planning Permission, a formal contract will be entered into, and work will commence on site. The current indicative time-line for the completion of construction for the permanent accommodation in Claremorris is late-2011.