Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of civil or public servants relocated to date in 2005 on foot of the Government's decentralisation plan announced two years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39221/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The decentralisation implementation group has set out a phased approach to the implementation of the programme with the first early movers due to relocate during 2006. A small number of organisations have initiated advance moves to their new locations during 2005. To date 150 people have decentralised to five provincial locations as follows: Department of Agriculture and Food to Portlaoise; Garda Síochána office to Thurles; Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to Tipperary town; Department of Social and Family Affairs to Sligo; Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Na Forbacha in Galway.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has used consultants, valuers or assessors previously used by the Government in the context of the decentralisation programme; the costs involved to date in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39222/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the decentralisation programme, one firm of consultants was used in 2005. Fitzpatrick Associates prepared a report entitled Securing Maximum Positive Benefit for Local Communities from the Public Service Decentralisation Programme. The total cost was €49,489. In 2004, Deloitte & Touche conducted a financial assessment of decentralisation costs and savings in 2004. The total cost was €48,400.

Regarding property it has not been possible, in the time available, to compile the information in the format sought by the Deputy. I am having the information compiled and will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Finance the date by which he expects the Government's decentralisation programme to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39223/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the decentralisation implementation group's June 2005 report. It contains details of the indicative construction completion dates for most of the decentralisation projects. Based on this report, the major part of the programme is due to be completed by end 2009. In line with the decentralisation implementation group's approach, the phasing of the programme will continue to be based on the readiness of the property, staffing and business elements for each organisation involved in the programme.

The position is different in respect of the State agencies. In its June report, the decentralisation implementation group took the view that it would not seek to dictate every step in the process to the management of the State agencies. Although the group proposed seven State agencies for early mover status it did not include specific timeframes in recognition of this approach and also of the fact that it is the responsibility of the board and senior management of each agency to implement Government policy.

The group stated in its report that the practical management of the programme is the role of management of the agencies, that each agency included in the programme should have a successful relocation as a high level strategic objective and should prepare the next and deeper iteration of its implementation plan.

Due to the heterogeneous nature of the State agencies there are various complexities which arise in specific agencies and these problems can be addressed in conjunction with the parent Department. In the meantime, the OPW is continuing to seek property solutions in respect of any agency that requires it.

I am satisfied that good progress continues to be made on this ambitious programme and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this as the programme is rolled out over the next number of years.