Dan Neville
Question:220 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Finance when decentralisation of 50 staff from his Department as announced in budget 2004, will take place to Newcastle West County Limerick. [30064/03]
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
I am determined that action will be taken immediately to start implementing the decentralisation programme. I have appointed a small implementation committee to drive the process forward. It has been asked to provide a detailed implementation plan by the end of March 2004. The chairman of the committee will report directly to the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation, which comprises of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Finance. I am determined that implementation of the decentralisation plan will proceed without delay. I have provided an additional €20 million in my Department's Vote to that end, to meet any upfront investment required in 2004. Furthermore, every Minister is expected to take responsibility for the part of the programme which relates to his or her Department or the agencies which come within his or her remit. The Deputy can be assured that every possible measure is being and will be taken to ensure that implementation of the programme proceeds as expeditiously and as efficiently as possible.