Tom Hayes
Ceist:76 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to announce locations to which Government services will be decentralised during the course of 2003. [14420/02]
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
David Stanton
Ceist:96 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the progress he hopes to make with regard to decentralisation of Government Departments and agencies; if he has a timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/02]
Willie Penrose
Ceist:134 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff who have been transferred to date, further to the Government's announcement more than two years ago of a major programme for decentralisation of up to 10,000 civil and public servants; the current policy of the Government in regard to decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14505/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 96 and 134 together.
The Government is committed in An Agreed Programme for Government to move forward the progressive decentralisation of Government offices and agencies, taking into account the national spatial strategy.
In view of my determination that decisions relating to a new programme of decentralisation should be taken only on the basis of sound criteria, I am not in a position to say when I expect the Government to be in a position to take such decisions.