255 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the status of the plan to decentralise the Health and Safety Agency to Thomastown, County Kilkenny; if the site is purchased; if planning permission has been granted or sought; if the land is zoned for the type of development being proposed; the steps taken or being taken by the Office of Public Works to finalise the deal and to expedite the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11162/07]

Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme it is proposed to relocate posts in the Health and Safety Authority to Thomastown, County Kilkenny.

The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that they have signed a contract for a suitable site in Thomastown. It is a condition of the contract that the site in question has the appropriate zoning. It is expected that the sale will close shortly. The Commissioners have already invited expressions of interest from interested developers. It will be a matter for the preferred bidder to apply for planning permission for the proposed development.

The Health and Safety Authority has already relocated 19 people to an advance location in Kilkenny City. By the end of this year this will have grown to around 30 people.

Provided there are no planning difficulties, it is expected that the permanent building in Thomastown will be completed in 2009.