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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 2

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

22 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the decisions taken to date in relation to plans for decentralisation of Government and State offices; the further decisions that are required; when these will be taken; if there has been any objective analysis of those submissions made by different towns; and the criteria to be relied on in assessing the obvious merits of towns such as Bandon, in south west Cork, as a suitable and appropriate location. [27374/00]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

33 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee examining proposals for the decentralisation of 10,000 civil and public servants; when the programme of decentralisation will commence; and when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27993/00]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

55 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Finance if he has yet finalised plans for his long promised decentralisation programme; the reason for the unplanned delay in announcing his decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27888/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 33 and 55 together.

Considerable progress has been made in my Department on a new programme of decentralisation and I expect the Cabinet sub-committee on Decentralisation will shortly begin its deliberations of the various issues with a view to proposals being brought before the Government for approval as soon as possible. The scale of the proposed programme and the range of issues and views which need to be taken into account is such that it has not been possible to take decisions on such a comprehensive programme any sooner. The work of the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation will, amongst other things, include consideration of the many submissions, representations and inquiries received by my Department from every county.
Once the Government decision has been taken work on its implementation will commence immediately. While it is impossible, at this point, to say how long the programme will take to complete, I hope that this will be clear when a full implementation plan has been drawn up.
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