The Office of Public Works has indicated it is close to finding a new headquarters for the Department of Health.
The OPW said today negotiations with three developers were at an advanced stage and, if a suitable building is found, the Department could be relocated by autumn.
The organisation is believed to be looking at three separate sites in Dublin 2 and Dublin 4.
The department is currently based at Hawkins House in Dublin city centre, which was built in the 1960s and is need of major refurbishment.