Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to a loan sought by Roscommon County Council for the development of a new civic headquarters, the persons from whom the county council are getting the loan; the interest rate they are paying on the loan; the number of years the loan is for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45271/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Local authority office accommodation is a matter in the first instance for local authorities. However, they are expected to provide such accommodation in the most cost effective manner possible having regard to their needs and resources. In that context, future plans for the Council office in Roscommon are a matter for Roscommon Co unty Council based on its assessment of the position . My Department has provided sanction, in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Act 2001, to the Council to arrange loan funding for the construction of a new Civic Office. This sanction was provided subject to Roscommon County Council: 1. being satisfied that it is receiving the best possible terms available; 2. making sufficient provision in their annual budgets for the repayment of the loan charges over the repayment period; and 3. being satisfied that the financing of the project will not adversely affect the provision of Council services during the repayment period. I understand that Roscommon County Council has negotiated a loan of €22m with the Housing Finance Agency over a period of forty years, at a variable interest rate.