John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will consider moving smaller sections of the Department of Agriculture to regional agricultural offices. [10618/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's decentralisation plan, my Department's headquarters in Dublin will relocate to Portlaoise. To achieve the staffing targets set out for Portlaoise in the plan, it is not envisaged that smaller sections of my Department will be transferred to regional or local offices. I am aware that with the introduction of the single payments scheme staff in local offices of my Department will be freed up with the ending of livestock payment schemes. My Department is working with local office managers and staff representatives and other Departments with a view to ensuring staff continue to be gainfully employed.