asked the Minister for Finance the plans the Government have for the decentralisation of Departments generally; and if he will outline these points.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decentralisation of Departments.
5.
The Government believe that the more widespread location of public service employment is a desirable long term objective to help reduce regional imbalances and the pressures on the Dublin region. The decentralisation programme initiated by Fianna Fáil in October 1980 was cancelled by the previous administration in the context of the 1983 Estimates debate. This Government continue to believe in the efficacy of decentralisation in the promotion of the above objectives. However, in view of the time that has elapsed since our original initiative, I have asked that a thorough examination of all the factors relating to this issue be carried out. I will be in a position to be more specific when it has been completed and the views of my colleagues in Government obtained.
Is the Minister not prepared in principle to say that he supports the whole concept of decentralisation and that he is anxious to see it reimplemented, notwithstanding the fact that the programme was brought to an end in early 1983?
I said it was desirable as a long term objective.
The Minister seems to leave it very open as to whether the matter will be proceded with. How many of the sites purchased in the early eighties in about 12 different centres throughout the country are still available and ready for building to take place on them?
As I said, I asked for the matter to be thoroughly examined and for all the facts relating to this issue to be brought forward arising from the fact that it was cancelled in 1983. In relation to the Deputy's second question, the site at Killarney has been sold, the one in Letterkenny has been allocated for other purposes and there is no site available in Limerick or Cavan.
Is the Minister aware that there is a substantial site in Limerick in the ownership of Limerick Corporation which is available and which was allocated to this proposal in the early eighties? This site is still available and, therefore, would the Minister consider going ahead with the proposal in regard to Limerick and in other places where sites are available?
In so far as my information is concerned, the sites are not available in Limerick at present.
Limerick Corporation own a substantial site——
I understand that but it is not owned by the Department of the Public Service or the Department of Finance.
The corporation will be delighted to transfer it.
I am delighted to hear that and, in so far as I can, I will be pursuing this matter actively but it was interrupted for four years. The principal still applies. We will be seeing what can be done in relation to the areas which are left without sites — these include Limerick — because at present there is no site available to us. If one is on offer from the corporation maybe the Deputy will make us fully aware of the details regarding it.
Would any capital expenditure incurred with regard to decentralisation be applied to the test contained in circular 1/83 which requires capital expenditure undertaken by the Government to meet certain criteria in regard to efficiency and value for money?
I am sure that that will arise anyway in the context of the thorough examination I have undertaken.
Would the Minister for Finance agree that the 1983 decision of the Government resulted in a net Exchequer saving in capital and current money terms of around £18 million and that it is strange, to say the least, that those who were preoccupied with public expenditure should now be proposing an indulgence of this nature?
It is but it is not for long.
I do not accept the figures as outlined by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware, for example, that it is possible to build outside Dublin at a cost per square foot approximately half of what it is in the areas surrounding this House? So much money is poured down the drain——
We are having repetition now.
The Minister is fully aware that this is possible and he is aware also that there are 150 busloads and so many trainloads of public servants who are working here in Dublin and who could be making a major contribution to the welfare and the economy of areas right along the western half of the country. That will be the abiding principle.
In the related area of devolution does the Minister intend to continue the process of devolution of powers from central Government to local government as was being implemented by the last Government?
That is a separate question and one for a different Minister.
(Interruptions.)
I am moving on to the next question. I have given sufficient latitude on this one.
The Minister for the Environment, and not the Minister for Finance, is involved with local authorities.
(Interruptions.)
I am trying to deal with the Deputy's next question. I am sorry, I did not see Deputy Fitzpatrick.
Did I understand the Minister to say that a site is not available in Cavan? If I was correct in that, might I suggest that the Minister make further inquiries because the site which was selected, I understand, by the Minister's Government when they were last in power is still available?
My information at the moment is that it has been given back to the local authority but, as I said to Deputy O'Malley, should the Deputy wish that this site be offered again by the local authority, it could be taken into account in the context of the overall examination and a final decision by my colleagues in Government. It will be important that we have sites available.
Is the site still there from the list we started out with?
I mentioned only the ones where there were no sites. The sites are still available in Galway and Sligo.