Vol. 414 No. 6
23 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline (1) the number of jobs which have been moved out of Dublin by the decentralisation programme of Government Departments, (2) the effect this is having on the economy of Dublin and its citizens and (3) his proposals to address this matter.
The total number of jobs that have been moved out of Dublin to date under the Government's decentralisation programme is 1,259. As the House will be aware, the programme is now well underway and involves the eventual transfer of over 3,000 public servants to the centres already chosen.
The decentralisation programme initiated in 1980 was finally launched in 1987, reflecting the Government's belief that the more widespread location of public service employment was a desirable long term objective to help reduce regional imbalances and the pressures on the Dublin region.
The Government considered that for too long the concentration of human and material resources in the centre at the expense of the peripheral areas had effectively deprived the provinces of their development capacity while at the same time placing an enormous burden on the Dublin area. The resulting migration from the provinces has been extensive and has had substantial effects on the population.
While the programme will have enormous beneficial effects on the social and economic life of the areas selected, it would be difficult to quantify the effects which the decentralisation programme is having on the economy of Dublin and its citizens. On the positive side it helps to reduce congestion and reduce pressure on office space and residential accommodation. While it may have reduced marginally total consumer expenditure in Dublin, the overall effect is likely to be more than counterbalanced by the influx of new activities such as the Financial Services Centre and by the attaction of Dublin as a tourist centre and as a regional and national shopping area.
I am satisfied that the present programme, when completed in the 18 centres selected, will result in a better regional balance and a better regional spread of prosperity and economic activity.
