Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that her Department has more than adequate numbers to commence the decentralisation process to Mullingar, she will sanction an advanced move of approximately 90 personnel who wish to go immediately by acquiring temporary accommodation; the position regarding the proposal to decentralise 300 persons to Mullingar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6454/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The position regarding the full decentralisation of 300 posts to Mullingar is that I understand that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has made significant progress towards the acquisition of a site for permanent office accommodation for my Department. The OPW has indicated to the Decentralisation Implementation Group that it estimates that this accommodation will be available for occupation some time in 2009.

As I have recently stated, I will keep the feasibility of sending a smaller number of posts to Mullingar in advance of the main decentralisation under review. However, I must do this in the context of the potential impact of an accelerated rate of decentralisation on the business of my Department, particularly as the other element of the decentralisation of my Department, the relocation of 100 to Athlone, will happen next year.