Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 432: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has been made towards the decentralisation of 85 jobs from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to Carrickmacross; if any building or site has been acquired for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/05]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 433: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress which has been made towards decentralisation to Monaghan town; if any building or site has been acquired; when the jobs will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.

The decentralisation implementation group, DIG, report to the Minister for Finance on 19 November 2004 recommended the locations and organisations to be included in the first phase of moves under the decentralisation programme and those to be regarded as potential early movers. Neither Carrickmacross nor Monaghan was included in the first phase of moves or as a potential early mover. The DIG is due to report again shortly regarding the phasing of those locations not covered in the November report.

My Department has been advised by the Office of Public Works, OPW, that it is in discussions with Monaghan County Council regarding a proposed development in Carrickmacross. The OPW has further advised that it is currently exploring a number of property options in Monaghan. These include the proposed refurbishment of an existing office and the construction of a new building. My Department is currently revising its implementation plan for the first phase of moves and will examine subsequent phases in the light of this and of the next DIG report.