Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

In addition to property considerations, there are many positive reasons for taking the decentralisation route. The purpose of the programme is to promote essential balanced regional development. Given that the Government encourages incoming multinationals to locate throughout the country, there is no reason it should not put its money where its mouth is. Decentralisation will provide a massive impetus in this regard.

To address an issue raised by Deputy Burton, thousands of civil servants spend hours commuting from towns and villages located within an 80 mile radius of Dublin. Decentralisation will offer them an immense opportunity to improve their lifestyles.

The buildings for the first five candidates will be completed and staff will be at their desks in the five decentralised locations. The following tranche of buildings will be under construction and some of them will be semi-complete. I have provided indicative dates, all of which I can provide to the Deputies, but all the early movers will be finished by 2007. The term "early movers" is used for the first group of organisations because of the large number of staff who applied to move under the central applications facility and the availability of property solutions. There is no difficulty in this regard.

This week, intense negotiations will take place between management in the Department of Finance and the IMPACT trade union, which represents the most difficult sector in terms of the professional grades involved. I have no doubt solutions will be found for all the human resources problems. Decentralisation is entirely voluntary and a commitment has been given that those who choose to remain in Dublin will have gainful employment and career opportunities. The programme will provide significant career opportunities to civil servants in place around the country and those who move outside Dublin.

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