Site for the Department of the Marine office identified
The proposed office block in Clonakilty, to facilitate 91 civil servants, is on the Government’s “early movers list” in its decentralisation programme.
First announced in the 2003 budget, the decentralised department offices in Clonakilty are expected to be up and running by late 2006.
An OPW spokesman said yesterday: “The transfer of the site is being finalised and the next stage is to determine whether the offices will be completed under a design-build scheme involving a private developer or an in-house design.
“Either way, both proposals will have to go to public tender and the tendering process could be underway within a few months.”
The OPW said that following a public advertisement for suitable sites, three applications were received.
Former agriculture minister Deputy Joe Walsh said yesterday he was pleased progress was achieved in securing a site. “Since the decentralisation programme was announced by former finance minister Mr
McCreevy 18 months ago, Clonakilty emerged as one of the more attractive destinations,” he said.
The Clonakilty-based TD said that 140 civil servants had volunteered under the Central Applications Facility to relocate in Clonakilty.
“It is encouraging and satisfying for the Government that there was a positive response to the proposal to relocate the seafood and coastal zone section of the department in West Cork.
“Obviously, the programme appeals to many younger civil and public servants who are either anxious to raise their families in rural Ireland or return to their roots,” said Mr Walsh.
He added: “I’m glad that a site has been identified by the OPW. The important thing is that the process of securing a site for office accommodation is now moving along. The decentralisation scheme was announced towards the end of 2003, but I would have liked to have seen the process move along more rapidly.”
Among the civil servants who expressed an interest in a transfer to Clonakilty, 23 work in the Department of Marine.
