Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 1213: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the decentralisation programme to Mullingar; if progress has been made in regard to the sourcing of a suitable property for the transfer of her Department; the number of Departmental staff listed as willing to transfer to Mullingar; her plans for a preliminary relocation of some staff to facilitate the smooth transfer of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1838/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Issues relating to property and accommodation for the overall decentralisation programme are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, OPW. I understand that the OPW is engaged in the process of site acquisition for Mullingar but that the matter has not yet been concluded.

The data available to my Department on individuals wishing to decentralise to Mullingar relate to applications made through the Central Applications Facility, CAF, on or before 7 September 2004 indicating Mullingar as a first choice of location. Several new entrants who have undertaken to relocate to Mullingar on decentralisation have also been assigned to my Department. The total number involved in these categories is 59. In addition, there are 122 external CAF applicants in respect of the decentralisation of my Department to Mullingar. Applications may still be made through the CAF and the position is liable to change on an ongoing basis.