Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of the acquisition of all accommodation or other requirements associated with the Government's decentralisation programme to date since the scheme was first announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12752/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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To date property acquisitions relating to the Government's decentralisation programme have been completed or significantly advanced in 23 locations. The particular solutions in these locations include State owned existing sites, sites purchased from local authorities, private individuals and purchases and leases of existing buildings. The estimated total committed expenditure in these 23 locations is €36.3 million, exclusive of VAT. Of this amount, approximately €13 million is in respect of sites acquired from local authorities and State agencies.

Suitable solutions have been identified in another 15 locations and negotiations to acquire these are ongoing. The overall site acquisition cost of the entire decentralisation programme is expected to be in the region of €75 million to €100 million, excluding VAT. The prices paid to date for sites are considered by the OPW to be in line with market prices.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants so far relocated under the Government's decentralisation scheme; the locations and Departments to which they have been deployed; when he expects the programme to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12753/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To date more than 1,200 civil servants have been assigned to decentralising posts. I will forward the Deputy full details of the Departments and offices to which these staff have been assigned. Many of these staff are located in Dublin for a transition period to enable effective transfer of skills and knowledge and ensure that quality customer service continues to be delivered as decentralisation is rolled out. A small number of advance moves have taken place to decentralised locations to date, including the Department of Social and Family Affairs to Sligo, the Department of Agriculture and Food to Portlaoise, the Department of Education and Science to Athlone, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to Thurles and Tipperary town and the Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs to Na Forbacha in Galway.

In line with the timeframes set out by the decentralisation implementation group in its June report I expect that up to 1,000 posts will have decentralised by end the of 2006 or early 2007. As regards the programme as a whole, I refer the Deputy to the decentralisation implementation group's July 2005 report which identified progress on property, implementation planning, numbers of applicants and human resources and industrial relations issues. In line with the group's approach to phasing, the report provided indicative construction start and completion dates for the procurement of office accommodation in the new locations. The full contents of this report can be accessed at www.decentralisation.gov.ie.

The final construction dates can only be confirmed when the tender process has been completed in respect of each location and are contingent on the level and quality of market interest in respect of sites, successful negotiation of contracts, receipt of acceptable planning permissions, timely completion of briefs and successful acquisition of suitable sites. To date, property acquisition negotiations have been completed or significantly advanced in 23 locations. I understand the OPW is updating the position on the property aspects of the programme in light of experience to date.