Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of persons who have opted to remain in Dublin who have been reassigned from decentralising offices; and the numbers who remain to be assigned. [20309/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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One hundred and twenty staff members of my Department have registered their interest to remain in Dublin. Four staff members have transferred to Dublin posts in other Departments/offices and a further twelve Dublin PAS list system transfers are in progress.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the date on which it is expected that each of the decentralisation moves within his Department or of agencies under his Department will be completed. [20323/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's programme involves the relocation of the Department's Headquarters to Cavan and the Seafood and Coastal Zone functions to Clonakilty. In addition, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) are relocating to Clonakilty, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to Dundalk and the Central Fisheries Board (CFB) to Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) has set out an indicative timetable for completion of the Department and BIM facilities, in Clonakilty in 2007. The DIG's timetable for relocation to Cavan is 2009. SEI's move to Dundalk is scheduled for 2007.

As the Deputy will appreciate, physically relocating functions depends on providing accommodation in the decentralised locations and the complex processes involved and this is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The Department is working closely with the OPW towards delivering on the indicative timetables. In this regard, a site has been secured in Clonakilty for both the Department and BIM, and OPW are currently assessing tenders for a design-build solution in that location. In addition, a site was secured earlier this month for the Cavan bound functions and the Department is to provide a detailed specification of requirements to OPW. Liaison with OPW on a property solution for SEI in Dundalk is also ongoing.

In the meantime the Department is making good progress on relocating some functions to Cavan and Clonakilty in the near future and well in advance of the permanent moves.

The lack of suitable property solutions, thus far in Carrick-on-Shannon is a particular challenge for OPW and a definitive timetable for the CFB decentralisation has not yet been finalised. The Department and the Agency continue to work with OPW on this issue and some possible options have recently been identified.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the posts of specialist skill which are planned for removal under the decentralisation move; and the number of those who have indicated a willingness to move their posts within units of and agencies under his Department. [20337/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Seventy-eight professional and technical posts within my Department are scheduled to relocate to Clonakilty and Cavan under the Government's decentralisation programme. Twelve staff members currently serving in these posts have expressed a priority first preference application on the Central Applications Facility to decentralise with their units.

Twenty-six specialist skills posts in Sustainable Energy Ireland are due to decentralise to Dundalk. Thirteen specialist post holders have applied to relocate with their posts on the Central Applications Facility.

Twenty-two specialist skills posts in the Central Fisheries Board are due to decentralise to Carrick-on-Shannon. The number of specialist post holders who applied on the Central Applications Facility to relocate with their posts is not currently available.

Sixty posts in Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) that require specialist qualifications or specialist skill/knowledge are due to decentralise to Clonakilty. No applications have been received on the Central Applications Facility from BIM staff opting to relocate with these posts.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of persons who have been assigned to each of the decentralised locations; the number of those who are new recruits; and the number moving on promotion. [20359/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of Seafood and Costal Zone divisions of my Department to Clonakilty in 2007 and all remaining divisions to Cavan in 2009. To date, fifty-one individuals have formally committed to decentralise to Clonakilty and forty-one to Cavan. Included in the Cavan figure are fourteen new recruits and thirteen civil servants who have committed to relocate on promotion.