Vol. 483 No. 5
27 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has considered the decentralisation of her Department to Na Forbacha, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20624/97]
70 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the decentralisation of sections or functions of her Department; the discussions, if any, which have taken place within her Department with staff and their trade unions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20767/97]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 27 agus Uimh. 70 le chéile.
As announced by the Minister of State at my Department last week additional staff are being appointed to the Department's office in Na Forbacha to service the needs of the islands, which transferred from Roinn an Taoisigh, and the operation of Gaeltacht improvements scheme which are being transferred from the Department's head office in Dublin. The staff involved have been kept informed of developments. As the Deputies are aware functions of the former Roinn na Gaeltachta were first decentralised to Na Forbacha in 1981 and I am pleased that additional functions are now being assigned there.
