Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of departmental staff who have now decentralised; the number of staff who have to move to different Departments because they have refused to decentralise; the amount he estimates the decentralisation process for his Department has cost in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5324/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's decentralisation programme provides for the relocation of the Marine functions of my Department to Clonakilty and the headquarters of my Department to Cavan. Thirty-one staff have decentralised to Clonakilty and twenty-six to Cavan, to date. A further thirty-nine staff have committed thus far to decentralise (14 to Clonakilty and 25 to Cavan). Three hundred and fourteen Dublin based staff members of my Department have not to date indicated a preference on the Central Applications Facility (CAF) to decentralise.

The major costs associated with the Decentralisation Programme involve the acquisition of sites and property/accommodation and the associated costs which are matters for the Office of Public Works. The costs incurred by my Department thus far are €21,200 in relation to travel to inspect property/accommodation in conjunction with OPW and €2896.98 in relation to archive storage space.