asked the Taoiseach if in view of the proposal to build new headquarters for the Department of Social Welfare in Dublin he will indicate whether the policy of decentralisation of Government Departments is now abandoned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decentralisation of Government Departments.
2.
The answer is in the negative. The policy of the Government is to promote, generally, the decentralisation of Departments, according as opportunities present themselves and to such an extent as may be found practicable. The decisions to transfer the Garda Síochána training depot to Templemore and a section of the Fisheries Division of the Department of Lands to Galway, were made in accordance with this policy.
I take it that in view of the fact that the Taoiseach has placed a contract for £1,100,000 for a Department of Social Welfare building to be erected at Haddington Road, that no decentralisation of that Department will take place?
That would be too sweeping a conclusion.