Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The 23 staff members who have applied to be decentralised from my Department have applied to the following Departments and agencies, the Department of Social Protection, the Office of Public Works, the Department of Defence, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Finance, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Revenue Commissioners, the Equality Authority, the Valuation Office, the National Roads Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

The Department of Finance deals with the details of the programme more generally. In this phase of decentralisation that has been announced approximately 4,400 staff are due to be relocated. I understand approximately 3,180 staff have been relocated to date. The Department is continuing to finalise the relocation of the remainder of staff who have applied for decentralisation. In the case of a further 5,000 applications there was a deferral until 2011.

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