The decision to defer the decentralisation of the Office of Public Works (OPW ) to Claremorris has been described as a ‘hammer blow’ to the county by Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring.
In reply to a Dáil Question from Deputy Ring, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said: “In light of the budgetary constraints at this time and affordability issues, I have decided to defer proceeding with permanent accommodation in Claremorris for the Office of Public Works.
“This location, along with other deferred locations will be considered as part of the overall review of the programme in 2011.”
Reacting this week, Dep Ring stated: “I am very disappointed about this. It is a let down for Claremorris and the west of Ireland.
“However, with the way the economy is, it looks like decentralisation is dead. The Government are doing the opposite, they are recentralising services like medical card processing to Dublin.”
