Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the planned decentralisation of his Department to Knock; if all staff are ready to decentralise; if suitable accommodation has been found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4444/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is transferring its headquarters to Knock Airport and 13 posts to Na Forbacha. On Na Forbacha, seven posts are already in place and it is expected that the remaining posts will be filled by the end of 2006.

My Department is scheduled to complete its move to Knock Airport by the end of 2007. It is also planned to relocate up to 70 posts in advance of the main move subject, inter alia, to the availability of suitable temporary accommodation in the general area. The Office of Public Works is currently seeking to source suitable accommodation and I hope this advance move can take place from mid-2006.

Currently some 26 members of staff have indicated a willingness to transfer to Knock Airport. Additional staff are transferring into my Department from other Dublin Departments for decentralisation. In addition, a large number of applicants who are currently decentralised wish to transfer to my Department. With all of those staff, and with the adoption of appropriate HR and risk management responses, I believe I will have sufficient applicants to fill all posts, both for the advance move and for the next phase of my Department's decentralisation programme, namely, the relocation to the new permanent headquarters building.

A site has been chosen for a headquarters building and the Office of Public Works has signed a contract for the purchase of that site. A competition was advertised recently for the design and building of the headquarters. It is anticipated that work on site will begin in the final quarter of this year. All necessary work on the building is scheduled to be completed in time for staff to move to Knock Airport by the end of 2007.

To support the decentralisation process, my Department has prepared a comprehensive decentralisation implementation plan, which sets out steps to be taken to ensure a successful relocation. The plan follows the guidelines set down by the Government's decentralisation implementation group. The plan is being implemented in full consultation with managers and staff and in line with industrial relations agreements and good practice.