Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2008

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Questions (219, 220)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

308 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the annual costs incurred by his Department in the implementation of the decentralisation scheme for each of the past four years, broken down between property and non-property costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35561/08]

The annual non-property costs incurred by my Department in connection with the move of the Road Safety Authority and my Department's Road Haulage functions to Loughrea are as follows:

2008 — Nil

2007 — €75,779

2006 — €6,461

2005 — €1,951

All costs relating to property are a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

309 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by his Department on implementing the decentralisation scheme, including the number of staff who have moved under the scheme and the property bought or rented outside Dublin under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35576/08]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Deputy Noel Dempsey)

Ten posts from the Department's Road Haulage function and 40 Road Safety Authority posts were decentralised to Loughrea and the move was completed in July 2007. Decentralisation of an additional 62 Road Safety Authority posts (which were not part of the original Government decision) to Ballina was also achieved. All properties are rented or purchased by the Office of Public Works.