Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress towards decentralisation in Cavan town; if a site has been acquired; when the Department will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's decentralisation programme involves the relocation of 378 posts in the Department's headquarters to Cavan. The latest information from the Public Appointments Service, PAS, is that so far 176 expressions of interest have been received for these posts.

The physical relocation of staff and business functions is dependent on the provision of the requisite accommodation in the decentralised locations, which is a matter for the Office of Public Works, OPW. The Department is liaising closely with OPW on the acquisition of a suitable site in Cavan. OPW advises that having examined a number of options, negotiations for the acquisition of a site are ongoing and the Department is also liaising with OPW on drawing up detailed specifications for the planned new building.

The Government's decentralisation implementation group has not thus far set out a timetable for completion of facilities in and relocation to Cavan. The Department is progressing preparations for staff transfers both internally and with other Departments, in advance of a relocation timetable.