Vol. 565 No. 4
67 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position in regard to the Government decentralisation programme; the criteria which will be adopted in deciding on the successful applicants; the timescale involved in completing such programmes of decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11256/03]
The Government remains committed to moving forward the progressive decentralisation of Government offices and agencies taking into account the national spatial strategy. As I have previously said on many occasions, there is a wide range of important issues that must be taken into consideration and 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.
