Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide and update on the progress made in implementing the 2003 decentralisation programme; the locations at which facilities have been provided by the OPW to accommodate the persons who have volunteered under the CAF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The two reports of the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, dated 31 March 2004 and 30 July 2004 provide detailed accounts of the progress made in implementing the decentralisation programme announced in December 2003. An analysis of the applications registered with the Central Applications Facility by 7 September 2004 has also been published. All of these reports can be accessed at www.decentralisation.gov.ie.

In addition the DIG report published on 24 November, 2004 contains proposals on those organisations-locations which, in the group's view, should be included in the first phase of moves and the DIG will report to me again in the spring of 2005 about progress in relation to implementation of the programme. The group will also deal in that report with the locations and organisations not covered in the November 2004 report.

Each organisation produced a first iteration of its implementation plans by end May 2004. The implementation group rated the plans overall as good. Updated versions of the plans are being submitted at various dates in early 2005. Overall, I am pleased with the progress which has been made in driving forward implementation of the programme.

The Office of Public Works has been given primary responsibility for delivering the property aspects of the decentralisation programme. Following the requests for property proposals, the Office of Public Works received in excess of 700 proposed property solutions in regard to the various locations around the country. Detailed evaluation of these proposals was undertaken and the Office of Public Works has made significant progress in sourcing possible sites at the locations concerned.

To date 15 property solutions have been agreed in principle and a further 20 plus locations are at an advanced stage in the acquisition process. I can also confirm that the balance of the sites for the remaining locations in the programme are being pursued by the OPW.

The locations where solutions have been identified are as follows: Athlone, Birr, Carlow, Clonakilty, the Curragh, Donegal, Dundalk, Furbo, Killarney, Knock, Longford, Newcastle West, Portarlington, Sligo, and Thurles. Sites in Longford and Newcastle West have been acquired. The Chief State Solicitor is processing a number of contract documents in respect of sites and it is expected that the associated acquisition phase will be completed as quickly as possible.

State-owned land will accommodate the decentralised buildings scheduled for Athlone, the Curragh, and Sligo, while the proposed location of the Dundalk building will be on land at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. It is proposed to locate the staff relating to Furbo in an extension to an existing building.