Decentralisation plans "unchanged"

Plans to decentralise the Department of Education and Science to Mullingar remain unchanged, according to Office of Public Works Spokesman George Moir.He made the comments in the light of a recent reports on the deferral of the Government"s decentralisation plans for a number of locations and Labour Finance Spokeswoman, Joan Burton"s criticism of the Government"s handling of the situation.While a number of projects were deferred for review in October 2008, plans to relocate the Department of Education and Science to Mullingar are unaffected, explained Mr. Moir.A total of 306 Department of Education and Science staff are due to relocate to Mullingar providing a major boost for the town. The project is planned to be completed in 2011.The OPW had been hopeful that construction would begin on the Mullingar site in January but 'we are still in negotiations and trying to finalise the financial element', said Mr. Moir.McQuarrie Partnership Ireland were selected as the preferred tender applicant for decentralisation projects in Mullingar, Carlow and Portlaoise in December 2007.The move is planned as a Public Private Partnership(PPP) initiative and the current economic downturn has contributed to the delay in the construction of the Mullingar offices.Mr. Moir said planning permission has been approved for the Mullingar site and aside from the financial negotiations the project remains on track along with the Carlow and Portlaoise moves.Deputy Willie Penrose accepted the project was still approved and not part of the deferred projects. He was however concerned at the fact that 'financial negotiations could be as long as a piece of string'.According to Deputy Penrose, the majority of enquiries he receives in Mullingar are in relation to the decentralisation of the Department of Education and Science Headquarters.