I propose to take Questions Nos. 1327 and 1350 together.
Under the decentralisation programme, it was announced that all sections of my Department currently located in Dublin, some 1,200 posts, are to relocate to the following towns: Drogheda, Buncrana, Donegal, Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo.
In addition, agencies under the aegis of my Department were to relocate, namely, Comhairle — 85 posts — to Carrickmacross and Combat Poverty Agency — 25 posts — to Monaghan.
In July, following consultation with the chairman of the board of Comhairle, and in the light of the announcement of Drogheda as the location for my Department's IT division, I decided to relocate Comhairle to Drogheda for logistical and business reasons. The location of Comhairle alongside the IT division will have advantages in the context of progressing the wider eGovernment agenda.
Comhairle has a statutory commitment to assist and support people, especially those with disabilities, in identifying and understanding their needs and options and in accessing their entitlements to social and civil services. In discharging their duties, Comhairle staff have occasion to meet representatives of the disabled community, many of whom rely on public transport to attend these meetings. In this context, it was also considered that Drogheda, would facilitate easier access to Comhairle services for those concerned.
There is no change to the announcement in relation to Monaghan. The commitment of 85 posts for Carrickmacross will be fulfilled by relocating 85 posts from my Department to that location. A decision on the sections that will relocate to Carrickmacross will be finalised in the near future.
