asked the Minister for the Public Service if a decision has been made to transfer a State Department or part of a State Department to Waterford city; and, if so, (i) the Department so designated, (ii) the expected date of transfer and (iii) the steps taken to effect the transfer.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - State Department Transfer to Waterford .
32.
: The Government's decentralisation plans for the civil service were announced in the Dáil on 22 October. Waterford city is one of the centres to which part of the Government service will be transferred and it is envisaged that part of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs will move to the city. Since staff interests have to be consulted over the move and arrangements made to provide office accommodation and infrastructural servces, it is clearly not possible at the present stage to give any firm date for the transfer. The Government are, however, giving priority to their decentralisation proposals and aim to have the programme advanced as rapidly as possible in Waterford and elsewhere.
: Could the Minister indicate what part of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs is going to Waterford and the number of people involved in the transfer? Can he give some indication when the transfer will be effected?
: I am sorry I cannot help the Deputy at the moment. I cannot tell him exactly what sections of the Department will be going. That will be a matter for discussion by the Department.
: Could the Minister communicate with me?
: I can, certainly.