David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made regarding the decentralisation of public service jobs to Youghal in County Cork; the number who have opted to transfer to Youghal; the office space that has been identified or acquired; the timescale for completion of the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29990/04]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the overall decentralisation programme it is intended that 100 staff of the Valuation Office and 100 staff of the Public Appointments Service will be decentralised to Youghal, County Cork. Planning for the move is ongoing in both offices and in the Office of Public Works, which is dealing with accommodation procurement issues. Both organisations have published outline implementation plans in accordance with the recommendations of the decentralisation implementation group chaired by Mr. Phil Flynn.

The data from the central applications facility, CAF, published in September showed that a total of 28 persons have applied for decentralisation with the Valuation Office and 88 persons have applied for decentralisation with the Public Appointments Service. The OPW has identified a number of potential sites in Youghal for new offices. The evaluation process is at an advanced stage and it is expected that negotiations will open shortly.

The next stage of the decentralisation process is the selection of organisations for inclusion in the first phase of moves and the sequencing and timing of such moves. An analysis of the figures emerging from the CAF and any relevant property and business aspects is being undertaken by the decentralisation implementation group. Pending completion of this work it is not possible to give an estimated time for completion of the programme to Youghal.