Vol. 548 No. 4
25 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his plans to move staff in his Department in Dublin to other locations around the country; if his Depart ment has a policy of decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4957/02]
My Department proposes to move the various laboratories in Abbotstown, County Dublin and in Harcourt Street to Backweston, County Kildare. In conjunction with this it is proposed to move the various headquarters divisions dealing with veterinary and food production and safety matters from Dublin to Backweston. Some of these divisions will be relocated to Maynooth, as an interim measure, until facilities at Backweston are available. It has also been decided to locate the new agriculture appeals office in Portlaoise. It should also be noted that the Department is already heavily decentralised with 75% of staff based outside Dublin.
As regards policy on decentralisation, I would refer the Deputy to the Minister for Finance's reply to Question No. 95 of 31 January 2002.
