The exact procedures which will apply in the relocation of staff in the decentralisation programme are being dealt with as part of the implementation process. This is being driven by the implementation committee and will be discussed with the public service unions.
Pending clarification of those procedures, my Department has not carried out any survey to ascertain the number of staff who are interested in relocating from Dublin under the decentralisation programme.
Where members of staff, on their own initiative, ask to be considered for relocation, this is noted and will be taken into account when the process of formally ascertaining staff interest in relocation commences.
So far, 17 members of staff from the clerical officer, staff officer, executive officer, administrative officer and higher executive officer grades have taken the initiative of alerting the Department to their interest in participating in the decentralisation programmes in a wide range of locations in 15 different counties. This number is likely to change significantly when the procedures are clarified.