Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There is no payment system in place and any questions arising on that issue will be discussed with the trade unions. There is no scheme at present and I do not envisage one being set up. I do not have the figure for transfer applications for February, but if Deputy Sargent maintains that it is 45, the explanation is that there are always a number of people in any Department who are moving anyway. They are on lists for relocation or decentralisation. I know of an individual in my Department, for example, who has just moved to Cork.

In terms of final numbers, the central applications facility list is still open and people in various Departments are moving on and off that list all the time. It would not remain the same. People change their minds.

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