asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will clarify his Department's present policy on decentralisation, if his attention has been drawn to the serious situation that has arisen regarding promotional outlets for civil servants in Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Policy.
163.
The Government's policy on decentralisation of Government offices is set out in the White Paper Programme for National Development 1978-1981. It states that the Government have decided in principle that a programme should be implemented for the transfer of at least 2,000 officers to about eight medium-sized urban areas in the provinces. The Government have also decided that all new Government sector services will be located outside Dublin unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary.
It is expected that decisions in regard to sections of Departments to be transferred and the centres in which these will be relocated will be taken at an early date. As regards promotion outlets for civil servants in Davitt House, Castlebar, their position is no different from that of the many other officers serving in local offices of Departments. However, this matter will be considered specially in connection with the Government's plans for the further decentralisation of Government offices.