Dan Wallace
Question:110 Mr. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the Government's progress to date in decentralising Government Departments to areas outside of Dublin; and the plans for transferring civil servants to Cork.
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
I propose to answer the first part of the Deputy's question, concerning the progress to date of the decentralisation programme, in the form of a tabular statement as set out below.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, as the Deputy is aware, the Government announced earlier in the year their decision to extend the decentralisation programme to five additional centres throughout the country, with Cork city being one of these centres.
Neither the time scale envisaged for completion of this extended programme nor the details concerning departments/ offices, numbers of staff, etc., to be transferred to each of the locations have, as yet, been decided.
However, in the interim the Office of Public Works have been in contact with Cork Corporation to discuss provision of a suitable site in Cork city.
The following is the table:
Summary Table—Decentralisation Programme
|
Centre |
Department/Office |
Present Position |
|
Phase 1 |
||
|
—Ballina |
Environment |
Completed |
|
—Cavan |
Agriculture and Food |
Completed |
|
—Galway |
Defence |
Completed |
|
—Sligo |
Social Welfare |
Completed |
|
Phase 2: Part 1 |
||
|
—Killarney |
Justice |
Completed |
|
—Letterkenny |
Social Welfare |
Construction completed. Preparations being made to transfer staff |
|
—Athlone |
Education |
Work on construction in progress |
|
Phase 2: Part 2: |
||
|
—Ennis |
Revenue Commissioners |
Work on construction in progress |
|
—Nenagh |
Revenue Commissioners |
Work on construction in progress |
|
—Limerick |
Revenue Commissioners |
The possible renovation of an existing building is being considered |
|
Phase 2: Part 3 |
||
|
—Dundalk |
The Government have decided that An Post and Telecom Éireann should identify areas from within their organisations to transfer to Dundalk and Waterford. The companies have been requested to take the necessary action. |
|
|
—Waterford |