Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked a number of questions. A sum of €20 million has been provided for properties in this year's Department of Finance budget. It is obvious that we need to try to determine the locations as quickly as possible. The Office of Public Works, which has significant expertise in this area, will make decisions on the best locations. As I said, I understand from the last report that the OPW will decide to develop greenfield sites to a greater extent than existing accommodation.

The Deputy also asked about locations. Applications have been received from State employees in Dublin and other locations, who wish to move to new locations, for approximately 80% of the posts which will be available in Dublin and other locations and in State companies. Approximately 3,700 civil servants in Dublin, 500 civil servants in State companies and 3,300 civil servants in other locations are interested in the decentralisation programme. That is the make-up. Decisions will be taken about using public private partnerships and other matters.

As I said, the Government is committed to making as much progress as possible by 2007. That does not mean that every last thing has to be finished by 2007 — it will continue. I hope we will have identified the sites by the end of the year and I hope we will make substantial moves next year. Matters are moving very well. I do not deny that there are problems and difficulties, as there are in everything one does. Life is about overcoming problems and difficulties, moving things on and making progress.

I do not have to ask anyone in my Department to move. Although the Department is not being decentralised, over 20% of its staff have signed forms and have asked to be moved. That can continue, as the Deputy knows. The priority listing ended on 7 September last, but the applications system remains open. I do not doubt that the number of applicants will increase as more people examine the advantages of decentralisation and consider their family situations.

A special joint unit of the Department of Finance and the OPW was established to support the implementation team and liaise with Departments about all the property aspects of the programme. Each Minister whose Department is earmarked for decentralisation has established a special decentralisation unit within the Department to report to the management advisory group and the Minister. In turn, the Department reports on a regular basis to the special Cabinet sub-committee that works with the implementation group. That is how the system is working. Everything is not perfect, but there is a process which has to move on, and that is what is happening.

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