Vol. 510 No. 3
224 Mr. Roche asked the Minister for Finance if he will issue instructions for the towns in County Wicklow to be included in the next phase of decentralisation of Government Departments and State agencies in view of the fact that County Wicklow has been ignored in the decentralisation arrangements put it place by successive Governments. [22666/99]
225 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Finance if Mallow, County Cork, will now be considered as a location for a decentralised Government Department in view of its promise to channel public service jobs into provincial areas. [22683/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
As indicated in the reviewed An Action Programme for the Millennium, the Government remains committed to a policy of balanced regional development and has set as a key priority the channelling of public sector jobs into provincial areas.
There is a decentralisation programme in place at present. I am actively considering the options with regard to a further programme and I intend to discuss the matter with my colleagues in Government shortly. In the meantime, no decisions have been taken with regard to those locations which might feature in any further programme. I have noted the case made for the inclusion of County Wicklow and Mallow in any future programme.
