Vol. 552 No. 3
99 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance in regard to the Government's announcement of more than two years ago of a major programme for decentralisation of up to 10,000 civil and public servants, the number of staff who have been transferred to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12505/02]
Since I announced the Government's intention to proceed with a new programme of decentralisation, considerable progress has been made in putting that programme together. I have, on a number of recent occasions, said that no decisions would be made in advance of the forthcoming general election. From the outset I have made the point that from the time a decision was taken and an announcement made it would be some two to three years before civil servants would begin to relocate given the need to acquire suitable accommodation as well as the time needed to select and train the staff involved. I am satisfied that, given the work done over the past two years, the new Administration will be able to move quickly after the election to take a decision on a new programme of decentralisation and that the relocation of civil servants, as part of such a major programme, will commence within two years or so of a Government decision.
