Vol. 577 No. 3
228 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of towns or areas that applied to be considered for decentralisation, since its original plans were announced in 1999 and that were not included in the list of locations announced in his budget speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31371/03]
Since my announcement in December 1999 of the Government's intention to proceed with a new programme of decentralisation, I have received submissions, representations and inquiries on behalf of more than 130 centres throughout the country seeking to be included in the new programme.
The announcements included in my budget speech on 3 December 2003 provided for the decentralisation of a total of 10,300 posts. Locations have been identified for the transfer of approximately 9,000 of these posts to 53 locations throughout the country. Locations for the remaining approximately 1,300 jobs will be identified at a later stage. In addition, as I pointed out in my budget speech, I believe the total number of posts to be relocated should be closer to 12,000 and I will examine further options in this regard once the programme is well under way.
