Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress to date in the matter of the Government's decentralisation programme; the number of civil and public servants who have to date agreed to relocate under the programme; the locations in respect of which agreement has been reached; the number, cost and location of premises required or disposed of in the context of the programme; when it is expected the programme will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18430/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The decentralisation implementation group was appointed to drive forward the overall implementation of the decentralisation programme. The two reports of the implementation group dated 31 March 2004 and 30 July 2004 provided detailed accounts of the progress made in implementing the programme.

In addition, the implementation group prepared two further reports in November 2004 which were approved by the Government and subsequently published. One of these reports identified the organisations-locations which, in the implementation group's view, should be the first to relocate. This included details of the indicative construction completion dates in respect of office accommodation for the early mover organisations.

The OPW has to date agreed 15 property solutions in principle and a further 20 plus locations are at an advanced stage in the acquisition process. Sites for the remaining locations in the programme are being pursued by the OPW.

The Public Appointments Service has provided Departments with the details of those civil and public servants who have applied to relocate with them. Departments are now arranging for the transfer of staff into each organisation for training purposes.