Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

83 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the acute difficulties being experienced in Wexford town by civil servants and public officials who were employed in the local employment exchange and tax offices; the proposals, if any, he has to provide a new building to combine these public services, along with any other decentralised offices in one building; if he will give a commitment to, and set out a time frame for, the provision of such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

Wexford was selected by the Government as a centre for decentralisation on 12 June 1991 and it was subsequently decided that the Headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency and part of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners would be located there.

The Environmental Protection Agency headquarters is to be accommodated in Johnstown Castle outside Wexford town. The provision of accommodation for the new Revenue service is at present being considered in the context of overall Civil Service accommodation needs in Wexford town. Officials in my Department in consultation with the Office of Public Works are reviewing the accommodation requirements of all Government Departments in Wexford town in tandem with the needs of the additional Revenue staff involved in the decentralisation programme. I expect to be able to make a decision in this regard very shortly.