Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Unit 153 Shannon Business Park was acquired by the Office of Public Works as a solution to meet the long-term requirements of the Department of Transport and a range of other State bodies in the area. The Department of Transport which operates the Vehicle Registration Unit (VRU) from a State-owned building in Shannon town centre, was earmarked as a key priority client to go into this newly acquired building.

A master-planning exercise for building was under way shortly after its purchase when the building was allocated to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as part of the emergency response to the increased demand for accommodation for those seeking protection in Ireland. The OPW engaged fully with the relevant Government Departments managing the process over a number of months. Earlier this year DCEDIY informed the OPW that it was releasing this property as it was no longer under consideration for that purpose. The OPW has since recommenced engagement with client departments to complete a masterplan for the property, and will proceed to design stage by end of 2024.

As a result of ongoing fabric issues within the existing VRU building the OPW intends to relocate Department of Transport staff from Shannon VRU to identified suitable space within Shannon 153 over the coming months.