273 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the planned social welfare office for Balbriggan in North County Dublin; if there is a timeline in which the process will be completed; if a national employment and entitlement service office will be based in the town and the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34554/12]

274 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the planned social welfare office for Swords in North County Dublin; the timeline in which the process will be completed; if the national employment and entitlement service will be based in the town and the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34555/12]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the acquisition of new office accommodation for the Department. I can confirm that my officials are working closely with OPW to identify and progress new offices in Balbriggan and Swords as a matter of high priority. The new office in each location will be capable of providing a fully integrated service to the public; comprising all employment and benefit support services in line with the Programme for Government and the National Employment and Entitlement Service. OPW is actively negotiating with a number of landlords and developers in and around both towns with a view to delivering the new offices as soon as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that until these negotiations are concluded, it is not possible to give a definite timescale for the provision of new offices in the two centres.