OPW plan to build on the Murrough

April 1998

A NEW building which will provide accommodation for various Government services –including a District Veterinary Office – is to be provided in Wicklow town.

The Office of Public Works has identified a suitable site at the Murrough, and is at present in negotiation with a developer.

An OPW spokesperson said this week that the building, when completed, will probably be leased from the developer, although the option of lease-purchase may be examined too.

As well as accommodating the District Veterinary Office, the new building will provide office space fro Revenue Commissioner officials, and staff from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. Altogether, the premises will be large enough to accomodate approximately 30 staff.

The Wicklow Driving Test Centre is also to be located there, and Wicklow VEC is also understood to be considering locating some of its staff in the premises.

The planning application will be lodged by the developer and the OPW’s hope is that construction will begin by around October, and that the premises will be ready for occupation about a year later.

The Department of Agriculture and Food confirmed that it is open to a DVO in Wicklow town.

No decision has yet been made, however, on staffing levels. But these will, according to a department spokesperson, ‘ be appropriate to deal with the requirements of the east Wicklow area.’

Farmers have been lobbying for some time to have a DVO provided in Wicklow town, since, at present, those needing the service have to travel either to Naas or Tallaght.

Some actually travel right into Dublin’s city centre, to the Department of Agriculture’s office on Kildare Street.