Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 509: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the progress to date with regard to decentralisation of civil servants to Drogheda, County Louth. [1017/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Civil Service offices transferring to Drogheda are the headquarters of Department of Social and Family Affairs, including REACH and a section of the Department of Transport, which has recently transferred from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, is responsible for the decentralisation to Drogheda of 477 posts in the Department of Social and Family Affairs and 11 posts in REACH. Over 650 applications were received for the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Drogheda. I understand that the OPW is currently in the process of procuring an appropriate site at the location. The latest report of the decentralisation implementation group indicated a target date of quarter one 2009 for availability of accommodation for the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Drogheda. The State agencies Comhairle and the LGCSB are also due to relocate to Drogheda.

The decentralisation implementation group recommended that Comhairle be included in the group of state agencies to receive initial priority in terms of implementing the programme. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, will answer in respect of his own areas of responsibility.