22 November 2006

Environment

Decentralisation

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance of the use, locations and costs to date of lands acquired or contracted to acquire, buildings purchased, built or leased, acquired or contracted to purchase, build or lease under the decentralisation programme; the savings arising from the disposal of lands, buildings or property that is surplus to requirements under the programme.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon): Overall, the programme of site identification and acquisition is progressing satisfactorily. To date, property acquisition negotiations have been completed or significantly advanced in 35 locations.

In the case of 5 locations, Athlone, the Curragh, Navan, Furbo and Sligo, OPW owned sites have been identified and will be used to accommodate decentralised offices.

In the case of another 6 locations, Carlow, Longford, Newcastle West, Killarney, Trim and Thurles, sites have been acquired from the relevant local authorities. Privately owned sites have been purchased in Buncrana, Clonakilty, Dungarvan, Knock and Cavan. In the case of Tullamore, the OPW has completed the purchase of an office block, which was handed over in the first week of July 2006. Contracts have been signed by OPW in respect of 4 locations, Tipperary (site), Carrick on Shannon (leased building), Loughrea (leased building) and Limerick (leased building)

Contracts for sale have been received in a further 10 locations including Donegal, Roscommon, Portlaoise, Thomastown, Edenderry, Listowel and Carrickmacross (building purchase), Kilrush (leased building), Waterford and Wexford.

Terms have been agreed and contracts are awaited in a further 4 locations including Clifden, Claremorris, Enniscorthy and Youghal.

Since the announcement of the Programme the Office of Public Works has committed itself to expenditure of over €59m to date on the acquisition of sites and buildings. It is estimated that the overall site acquisition process will cost in the region of €75m to €100m.

The total proceeds to date from property disposals under the Transformation of State Assets Programme is €362m.