Vol. 562 No. 1
129 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if a decision will be made shortly on the decentralisation of Government offices to centres around the country; if special consideration will be given to the ISDN proposal from Listowel, Kilrush and Newcastlewest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/03]
196 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance the proposals the Government has for decentralisation, following the publication of the national spatial strategy; when specific decisions will be made with regard to locations and the offices or bodies to be decentralised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5367/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 196 together.
The Government is committed to moving forward the progressive decentralisation of Government offices and agencies taking the national spatial strategy into account. This commitment was reiterated in An Agreed Programme for Government. As I have said previously, a wide range of important issues, including the national spatial strategy, have to be considered before a final decision is taken on this matter. It is vital that all involved are consulted, be they staff concerned about their futures or departmental managements concerned about the delivery of the public services for which they have responsibility.
Given these wide ranging considerations it is not possible for me to state, at this time, when the Government will be in a position to take a decision on the issue of decentralisation. The Deputies may be assured that all of the submissions and representations which have been received by my Department will be taken into account as part of the deliberative process.
