Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

More than 40% of the 7,200 civil servant posts due to relocate under the programme are now filled by staff who are decentralising and are either in their new locations or are being skilled up for their new posts. Over the next few years we will see the relocation of the 10,900 civil servants who have applied to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The Central Applications Facility continues to receive new applications. It is anticipated that this will continue. A total of 50% of the applicants to the CAF are based in Dublin, that is, almost 5,500. I have given the number of locations. By the end of 2009 most of the people on the current list will be decentralised.

In regard to the agencies, that is an issue the Deputy may take up with the Department of Finance. None of the agencies under my Department is scheduled for decentralisation.

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