Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of staff from BIM who have volunteered for decentralisation to Clonakilty; the stage the building negotiations for BIM in Clonakilty are at; if he will proceed to acquire property in the absence of any expressed desire by staff to leave Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Decentralisation Programme involves the relocation of the both the Seafood and Coastal Zone elements of my Department involving 91 posts and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), involving 95 posts to Clonakilty. The intention is to co-locate the Department and BIM in separate buildings in a campus style development in the town. To this end a 3.5 acre (approximately) site has been acquired to house both the Department's functions and those of BIM. Design and layout of accommodation have been agreed with both the Department and BIM and a planning application has been lodged and considered by the Local Authority. I understand from the Office of Public Works that additional information sought by the local authority was submitted last month and that the planning process is continuing.

The latest information from the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is that the demand for posts in Clonakilty substantially exceeds the number of posts available in my Department in that location. In addition, staff surveys in BIM indicate that at least 16 staff may be willing to relocate.