Billy Timmins
Question:229 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the submissions or requests which were made to him by a person (details supplied) seeking decentralisation to Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30189/03]
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
Since the announcement in the 2000 budget, made in December 1999, to proceed with a new, more radical programme of decentralisation, my Department has received submissions, representations and enquiries on behalf of more than 130 centres throughout the country. Representations were made by a significant number of groups and individuals, including the person concerned, seeking decentralisation of Departments or offices to County Wicklow.
I refer the Deputy to the summary of 2004 budget measures, which sets out at page B.25 the wide range of factors which have been taken into account and balanced against each other in selecting Departments and agencies for decentralisation and locations for the new decentralised offices. Having taken all the criteria into account, the Government has decided to decentralise 140 staff of the NSAI to Arklow.