asked the Minister for the Public Service Government policy in relation to decentralisation and particularly in regard to the planned move of the Department of Defence to Galway.
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Policy.
492.
This Government's policy and record is one of consistent commitment to the decentralisation of Government offices to provincial centres. It was announced in October 1980 that over 3,000 civil service staff would be relocated in new purpose-built office blocks in 12 provincial centres, including Galway. Considerable progress was achieved between then and June 1981 on site acquisition, planning and design. The incoming Government, however, placed the programme under review, and so it remained throughout their term of office. As I indicated in the House on 30 March, the present Government have reactivated the programme and arrangements are being made for its early implementation.