Vol. 518 No. 6
89 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has for decentralisation of any part of his Department or any body or agency operating under the aegis of his Department; the consultation which have taken place with any staff involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12933/00]
I decided recently that, with the exception of a small Dublin office, the bulk of the Marine Institute comprising of the order of 60 staff members will be relocated to Galway. The move is intended to facilitate the construction of the new national stadium at Abbotstown and is in keeping with the Government's commitment to a policy of balanced regional development with the channelling of public sector jobs into provincial areas being a key priority.
A sub-committee consisting of representatives from the staff side and the official side has been set up to oversee the relocation of the Marine Institute and several meetings have taken place to discuss matters arising and to facilitate the process.
With regards to the other areas of my Department, the Deputy is no doubt aware, a consultation process is currently under way among Departments with a view to taking a decision on a significant programme of decentralisation. It is anticipated that no decisions will be taken on the new programme in relation either to the Departments-offices to be relocated or to the centres to which they will be relocated before the conclusion of this consultative process.
Consequently, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comments in advance of the conclusion of this process and in particular on whether my Department, or any body or agency operating under the aegis of my Department, will be selected for decentralisation.
