Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Finance when construction will begin on the new Department of Agriculture offices in Portlaoise, County Laois and what is the timescale for completion of the project. [40254/09]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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A number of key projects were identified as priority elements of the decentralisation programme in the Government announcement of 14 October 2008. The construction of a new headquarters building in Portlaoise for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with a new headquarters for the Department of Education and Science in Mullingar, and a new decentralised office for staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Carlow was one of the projects given priority.

The proposed decentralised offices in the above three locations are being procured by means of a Public Private Partnership as a single Design, Build, Finance and Maintain contract.

Planning permissions have been received for all three buildings and discussions are proceeding with the successful tenderer with a view to finalising financial closure and contract signing. The anticipated construction period is 20.5 months.

The award of this contract is subject to Government approval.