Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

Along with other Ministers, I have repeatedly said this is a voluntary programme. Given that and with the wide decentralisation, it will be possible to meet most people's requirements. Under this programme, full Departments are moving to provincial locations. The map of Ireland after decentralisation will show large clusters of public and civil servants in various regions. It will therefore be possible for people to transfer both within their own Department and to other Departments. While it may not suit everybody to go to the new location of their office or Department, they can transfer to another Department in the region of their choice. The same will apply to the offices in Dublin. It should be possible to accommodate the wishes of everybody. As this is a voluntary programme every endeavour will be made to accommodate every public servant as best we can.

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