Contracts signed for Cork decentralisation offices

CONTRACTS were signed yesterday for the construction of offices for the Department of Marine and Natural Resources in West Cork.

The decentralised offices, initially accommodating 121 civil servants, will be developed on a three-acre site in the Clonakilty urban area.

Former minister Joe Walsh, who lives in the town, said the new Park Road site will be developed as a campus for two decentralisation projects planned for Clonakilty, the department of marine and BIM.

He said the three-acre site, adjacent to the Quality Hotel and holiday homes’ complex, will eventually facilitate 215 civil servants.

Deputy Walsh said his government colleague, Minister of State Tom Parlon, will officially turn the sod on the site on Tuesday.

Councillor Seamus O’Brien, who was mayor of Clonakilty when the proposed decentralisation move was mooted in 2003, said yesterday that the town was delighted a site had finally been secured.

“Clonakilty was one on the Government’s ‘early movers’ list in the decentralisation programme. Finding a suitable site, within the urban boundary, was a difficulty but hats off to both the landowner and the Office of Public Works for reaching an agreement.”

He added: “It’s an ideal site, just a stroll from the town centre. The initial transfer, hopefully by the end of 2006, of over 140 civil servants from the Department of Marine will be a wonderful economic boost to Clonakilty.”

The OPW confirmed that three prospective sites had been identified. A spokesperson said the tendering process for the development would be underway within a few months.

Deputy Walsh said Clonakilty was one of the more attractive destinations for civil servants in the decentralisation programme.