Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I have raised the issue of the necessity for decentralisation projects for Newcastle West in the other House on many occasions and I do not intend to elaborate the reasons I believe such projects are required. The Minister announced in the previous budget that Newcastle West, as well as many other locations, would benefit from a decentralisation project. The Department of Finance was considered for Newcastle West, Kilrush and Listowel and I understand 60 jobs were envisaged for each location.

The area has a tradition which would benefit the Collector General's office because a triangle embracing Ennis, Limerick and Nenagh have already successfully benefited from decentralisation in the past. I assume it would be natural to extend the process further to the three locations and, as such, we welcome the announcement.

The announcement was, however, made in the previous budget. I am aware that officials, presumably from the Office of Public Works, recently visited Newcastle West to view the facilities available in the area and I have no doubt they will have been extremely pleased because massive housing expansion means that the area has all the required goods and services, particularly access to a national primary route which has considerably improved. The town, therefore, has many natural advantages for people who want to relocate.

The question I have been asked at local level with regard to decentralisation, an issue which has been bobbing around for many years, is when it is likely to happen. I hope the Minister of State will give the House an indication of its timing, rather than a general thesis on the whole decentralisation process. When is decentralisation to Newcastle West likely to take place?

Is the Department of Finance satisfied that sufficient staff are willing to move to the area? I have no doubt that when it researches the matter, it will find that this is the case. Recently, when I made inquiries on behalf of a person working in the Department in Dublin who was anxious for a transfer, I found she was well down the list of people who wanted to transfer. This indicates that enthusiasm to move is strong at certain levels. Will the Minister of State indicate when decentralisation to Newcastle West is likely to occur? As Kilrush and Listowel were part of the same group of towns, the answer will also apply to these locations.