Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the decentralisation programme within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1928/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decentralisation programme allowed for the decentralisation of my Department's headquarters to Portlaoise, the laboratories at Model Farm Road, Cork, and two laboratories in Limerick to Macroom and the Cork city and Mallow local offices to Fermoy.

In November 2004, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, presented its report to the Minister for Finance on the selection of organisations-locations for inclusion in the first phase of moves in the Government's decentralisation programme. Decentralisation of 392 staff from my Department's Dublin headquarters to Portlaoise was included in the report. A further report from the DIG in spring 2005 will deal with locations not covered in the November report.

Following the Government's announcement in budget 2004, my Department established a decentralisation implementation committee, chaired by an assistant Secretary General, to plan and control the process. Tangible progress has been made on the decentralisation of my Department to Portlaoise already, with some 50 staff having been assigned there in July 2004. It is envisaged that a further 50 staff will be relocated there during 2005. While some interim accommodation has been secured in Portlaoise, the OPW is actively working on acquiring suitable permanent accommodation for my Department.

In accordance with recommendations made in the DIG report of November 2004, the next iteration of this Department's implementation plan is being prepared for submission to the DIG by 14 February 2005. As requested also, a separate implementation plan in respect of ICT staff will be forwarded to DIG by 31 March 2005.