Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has recently discussed the decentralisation of Development Co-operation Ireland with the DCI advisory board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33285/05]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the decentralisation of Development Co-operation Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33284/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of senior development specialist working in Development Co-operation Ireland; of these the number volunteering to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33282/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 22 together.

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007.

There are a total of 24 specialists based in the directorate's headquarters and 11 of these will be decentralising to Limerick. There are 12 senior development specialist positions based at the directorate's headquarters and, to date, two applications have been received for these positions through the central applications facility. I would hope that more will volunteer as we approach the decentralisation deadline.

I am aware that the advisory board for Development Co-operation Ireland has expressed concerns about the possible negative impact of the proposed decentralisation on the Development Co-operation Ireland programme. My officials are engaging with the advisory board on a regular basis, updating it on progress in the decentralisation process and outlining our risk management strategies.

I also refer the Deputies to my comprehensive reply today to the priority question on this issue.