Brendan Howlin
Question:9 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance when a Government Department will be decentralised to County Wexford; if he will outline the progress made to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
As the House will know, Wexford was selected by the Government as a centre for decentralisation.
On 28 July 1992 the Government decided that the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters would be in County Wexford and the Minister for the Environment subsequently announced that it would be located at Johnstown Castle outside Wexford town.
The remaining part of the decentralisation programme relevant to Wexford includes a section of the Revenue Commissioners which will operate a new service arising from the completion of the Single European Market.
The provision of the required accommodation for the new Revenue service is at present being considered in the context of overall Civil Service accommodation needs in Wexford town. Officials in my Department in consultation with the Office of Public Works are reviewing the accommodation requirements of all Government Departments in Wexford town in tandem with the needs of the additional Revenue staff involved in the decentralisation programme. I expect to be able to make a decision in this regard very shortly.