Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
124 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made regarding the implementation of the programme of decentralisation in respect of her Department and State bodies under the aegis of her Department; if it is intended to proceed with the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30937/08]
View answerThe Government decided on 8th July last that no further expenditure on the acquisition of accommodation for decentralisation should be sanctioned pending detailed consideration by the Government of two reports: one from the Decentralisation Implementation Group on the feasibility of phased moves by the State Agencies; and one from the Implementation Group of Secretaries General on the governmental and cross-Departmental issues arising from the need to provide facilities for Minister, Ministers of State and officials while in Dublin on business.
I expect that the Minister for Finance will present these to Government over the coming weeks.
The following is a summary of the progress that has taken place, to date, with regard to the programme of decentralisation in relation to my Department and Agencies.
My Department, the Health & Safety Authority and FÁS have interim decentralised offices in place in Carlow, Kilkenny and Birr respectively. A total of 150 persons are involved in these advance moves.
With regards to the permanent decentralised offices for these bodies, sites have been identified and relevant legal and planning issues are being progressed.
With regards to NSAI and Enterprise Ireland, there has been no progress regarding the identification of sites for their permanent decentralised offices. In addition there is a very low interest in relocation amongst staff in those agencies.
Regarding the National Consumer Agency, which was formally established on 1st May 2007, decentralisation plans are currently being progressed.
Finally, IAASA has fully decentralised to Naas, Co. Kildare.
