Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the progress of providing decentralisation, as promised, to Carrickmacross town and Monaghan town; if office space has been sourced; the number of personnel who have applied for transfer to either locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32909/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Government's decision to decentralise 85 civil servants to Carrickmacross, the OPW assessed a number of proposals to provide a property solution at this location. A suitable property solution proposal from the local authority has been identified. The proposal envisages a mixed-use development on a site of approximately nine acres owned by Monaghan County Council.

The local authority is currently assessing a number of proposals from contractors for a mixed-use development of the site. It has been agreed in principle with the local authority that the decentralised office for the Department of Social and Family Affairs will be accommodated within the mixed development.

A final decision by the local authority as to the preferred developer of the site is likely to be made early in the new year.

To date, there have been 92 applications to decentralise to Carrickmacross, Monaghan. As the Deputy knows, the Combat Poverty Agency is to move 70 of its staff to Monaghan. The process of sourcing a suitable property solution for Monaghan is continuing. To date, there have been 30 applications to move to this location.