Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding decentralisation to Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15786/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is co-operating with the Department of Finance, the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, and the Office of Public Works to ensure the Government's decentralisation programme is implemented efficiently and effectively. An implementation plan, which sets out the broad issues to be addressed in implementing the decentralisation programme for this Department, has been submitted to the DIG.

A total of 111 applications had been received at the central applications facility, CAF, by the priority cut-off date of 7 September 2004 in respect of the 225 posts to be decentralised to Waterford. In accordance with the recommendations of the DIG, my Department will set up small planning groups in conjunction with local interests to help facilitate staff locating to Waterford when the timescale for transfer becomesclearer. The Office of Public Works is evaluating site acquisition options in Waterford.