Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2004
89 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider Monaghan or other towns along the Border, such as Clones, for some of the remaining decentralisation jobs that as yet have not been allocated; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is one of the few opportunities the Government has to actually decide whether or not the Border region deserves recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/04]
View answerIn advance of the announcement of details of the decentralisation programme in budget 2004, I received submissions on behalf of over 130 centres throughout the State. A total of 53 locations, including Monaghan, have been designated for the relocation of approximately 9,000 posts.
Locations for a further 1,300 or so jobs will be identified at a later stage. As I said in my budget speech, I believe the total number of posts to be relocated should be closer to 12,000 and I will examine further options in this regard once the programme is well under way.
The case for Clones and other Border towns receiving decentralised offices as well as Monaghan receiving a second decentralised office can be given due consideration in the decision making process leading to the identification of locations for the remaining posts.
