Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda vetting unit has been completely decentralised to Thurles, County Tipperary as was envisaged to happen by September 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26616/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the finalisation of the leasing arrangements by the Office of Public Works, the refurbishment of the temporary office in Thurles has now commenced and it is anticipated that the Garda central vetting unit will move in by the end of November 2005.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in respect of decentralisation to Tipperary town. [26741/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 186 posts are to move to Tipperary town from my Department's asylum and immigration area. An implementation plan in respect of the decentralisation of these sections is available on my Department's website.

The decentralisation implementation group report to the Minister for Finance on 30 June 2005 gives the indicative date for completion of construction of a building for the offices in Tipperary town as 2008. Work is ongoing with regard to the transfer of staff to Tipperary using the lists from the central applications facility. I understand from the Office of Public Works that the acquisition of a suitable site for the Department in Tipperary town is at an advanced stage. The private security authority has opened its offices in Tipperary town and to date, ten staff have relocated to that office.