Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1325: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will report on all aspects of the decentralisation programme to Kilkenny; the progress achieved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25371/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department is co-operating with the Department of Finance, the decentralisation implementation group and the Office of Public Works in implementing the Government's decentralisation programme. A decentralisation implementation team has been established to oversee the arrangements for the transfer of the Department's Dublin based staff to four locations in the south east.

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. In accordance with the Government decision on the first phase of moves under the decentralisation programme, the transfer of my Department's headquarters to Wexford is included in the list of those organisations confirmed as early movers. A more updated decentralisation implementation plan, which sets out the issues to be addressed in the context of the move to Wexford, has been submitted to the decentralisation implementation group. My Department is in the process of drawing up a revised implementation plan dealing with issues arising around the moves to Kilkenny, New Ross and Waterford.

A total of 77 applications had been received at the Central Applications Facility's priority cut off date on 7 September 2004 in respect of the 62 posts to be decentralised to Kilkenny. The indicative timescale provided for the completion of office accommodation in Kilkenny is the end of 2008 and the Office of Public Works is evaluating site options at present.