Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 345: To ask the Minister for Finance the incentives currently on offer to civil servants through the Government's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The programme of Decentralisation is being implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis. The potential benefits of decentralisation are significant. Existing Civil and Public Servants seeking to leave Dublin, for example, to return to family and friends back home, or to acquire an affordable and comfortable family home within easy reach of their workplace, have a broad range of options. There will also be a wider range of work and career opportunities for Public and Civil Servants already working outside Dublin. Present and future Civil and Public Servants who aspire to senior management positions will no longer have to necessarily migrate to the capital, although many will continue to do so.

On a broader note, the dispersal of jobs from Dublin has obvious advantages for securing a better regional balance. It will help the economic and social development of the chosen centres and their catchment areas. Decentralisation can provide high-quality jobs for regions that have not benefited as much as Dublin from recent economic success. It can provide a further boost to the provision of infrastructure in the regions. It can also attract other investment and services and act as an incentive to entrepreneurs to develop businesses in the regions thus creating a positive domino effect.

The Deputy may also wish to note that as a contribution towards the expenses of staff during training, a Decentralisation Training Allowance is payable for officers from locations outside Dublin who are required to come to Dublin (or another suitable provincial location) for an initial training period prior to taking up duty at new decentralised locations. My Department will be issuing a circular to departments on this matter shortly.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants other than those normally seeking relocation who have to date been relocated under the Government's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10565/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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When the Decentralisation Programme was announced, all staff were given the opportunity to apply through a Central Applications Facility (CAF), which is operated by the Public Appointments Service, to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. Apart from the CAF arrangements, my Department does not maintain data centrally on the number of staff who may wish to relocate for other reasons.

Over ten thousand six hundred civil and public servants have made applications under the CAF system at this stage. At the end of December 2006, over 2,400 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. Approximately 800 of these are currently in place, in 17 new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location, as soon as accommodation becomes available.

It is envisaged that by the end of 2007 public services will be delivered from 36 of the decentralisation towns with approximately 2,000 staff transferred. The precise numbers moving within that time frame will depend on the availability of property as well as timeframes for completion of fit out and installation of necessary ICT (information communications technology) and telecommunication cabling and equipment.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Finance the expenditure to date in respect of purchase or lease of premises in each county arising from the Government's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10566/07]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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Overall, the programme of site identification and acquisition is progressing satisfactorily. To date, property acquisition negotiations have been completed or significantly advanced in 37 locations.

In the case of 5 locations, Athlone, the Curragh, Navan, Furbo and Sligo, OPW owned sites have been identified and will be used to accommodate decentralised offices.

In the case of another 6 locations, Carlow, Longford, Newcastle West, Killarney, Trim and Thurles, sites have been acquired from the relevant Local Authorities. Privately owned sites have been purchased in Buncrana, Clonakilty, Dungarvan, Knock, Cavan, Claremorris, Tipperary, Loughrea (leased building), Edenderry, Roscommon and Carrick on Shannon (leased building). In the case of Tullamore, the OPW has completed the purchase of an office block, which was handed over in the first week of July 2006. Contracts have been signed by OPW in respect of 2 locations, Limerick (leased building) and Thomastown (site).

Contracts for sale have been received in a further 9 locations including Donegal, Portlaoise, Listowel (leased building), Carrickmacross (building purchase), Kilrush (leased building), Waterford, Wexford, Mullingar and Enniscorthy. Terms have been agreed and contracts are awaited in a further 3 locations including Clifden, Youghal and Newbridge.

The expenditure to date per county is detailed in the tabular statements.