Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the decentralisation of staff of his Department to Buncrana. [18965/06]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress made on the decentralisation of staff of his Department to Donegal Town. [18966/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.

Under the Government decentralisation programme announced in Budget 2004, the Department is to relocate 230 posts to Donegal town and 120 posts to Buncrana.

According to the Progress Report to the Minister for Finance on 30 June 2005, the indicative construction start date in both cases is end 2007 and the construction completion date is early 2009 for Buncranna and mid-2009 for Donegal Town.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been charged with securing accommodation in the decentralised locations and is proceeding to do so.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the status of the decentralisation to Carrick on Shannon; the timetable for completion of the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18987/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government decentralisation programme announced in Budget 2004, the Department is to relocate 220 posts to Carrick-on-Shannon. The Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) report to the Minister for Finance on 19 November 2004 recommended those locations and organisations to be included in the first phase of moves, and those to be regarded as potential early movers. In the case of this Department, Sligo and Drogheda were included in the first phase and Carrick-on-Shannon was recommended as a location to be considered as an early mover.

The Office of Public Works commenced the process of identifying suitable accommodation in the town and it was decided to pursue a two phased approach to decentralisation to Carrick-on-Shannon.

Phase one will involve some 130 posts and a building is scheduled to be ready for occupation in early 2007. The Department expects to be ready to commence the relocation of staff to Carrick-on-Shannon at this time.