Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when and the way he plans to proceed with decentralisation in his Department; the way it will be implemented; the resources that will be made available; the extent to which it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18433/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to confirm that my Department is proceeding with the Decentralisation Programme as agreed by Government. Following the announcement all necessary resources including staffing were made available in my Department to ensure the success implementation of the programme.

It might be helpful if I was to give a brief update on the progress of the programme within my Department and within the agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Department of Finance — The official opening of my Department's new offices in Tullamore took place on the 6th of October, 2006. The new offices in the Central Business Park in Tullamore is a modern, state of the art building comprising of three floors, with a total floor area of approximately 3400 sq metres on a site of 2.8 acres. My Department together with the Officer of Public Works (OPW) is currently examining possibilities for permanent accommodation in Kildare to accommodate circa 30 ICT posts, which will also be moved under the decentralisation programme. Pending the identification of a suitable permanent accommodation solution, interim accommodation options in County Kildare are being examined, with a view to having an advance move commenced later this year.

Revenue Commissioners — As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that Revenue will decentralise 50 posts to Newcastlewest, 50 posts to Kilrush, 50 posts to Listowel, 250 posts to Athy, 100 posts to Navan and 380 posts to Kildare.

Newcastle West — The decentralising staff have moved to temporary accommodation in Estuary House, Limerick. A site for the new decentralised offices in Newcastle West was purchased by the OPW from Limerick County Council in 2005. A preferred tenderer has been chosen and planning permission has been obtained. Revenue are ready to occupy the building in Newcastle West as soon as it becomes available.

Kilrush — Suitable accommodation has been identified by the OPW in Kilrush. The networking, telephony installations and other preparations are all completed and once legal issues are resolved Revenue will be in a position to occupy the building immediately.

Listowel — The OPW have signed a lease for the premises in Listowel and the fit-out of these premises is underway. After the formal handover of the building to OPW, Revenue will be in a position to complete their networking and telephony installations and the building will be furnished ready for occupation.

Athy — The OPW are in advanced negotiations for a premises in Athy that will accommodate an advance party of 75-80 Revenue staff. The premises is expected to be available towards the end of the year.

Navan — A building has been identified in Navan to accommodate 100 staff of the Meath District Division of the Revenue Commissioners. It is expected that the building will be ready for occupation by Revenue by the end of the year.

Kildare — One hundred and sixteen (116) people have indicated an interest in decentralising to Kildare with Revenue. The Office of Public Works are in the process of identifying a suitable location.

Office of Public Works — As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that OPW will decentralise 330 posts to Trim (future OPW HQ); 150 posts to Claremorris and 100 posts to Kanturk. To date four hundred and two (402) staff have applied for places in Trim under the CAF process, one hundred and eighty five (185) staff have applied for places in Claremorris and one hundred (100) staff applied for places in Kanturk.

The OPW has acquired the site in Trim and the Contractor/Developer will move on site shortly. The current target for completion of the Trim project is Q4 2008. It is proposed to manage the move to Claremorris in two phases. The first phase deals with the setting up of an advance office for up to forty (40) staff in Claremorris, where OPW has identified suitable accommodation. It is expected that the accommodation will be ready for occupation in late August 2007. The second phase of this project will be the construction of a permanent office for up to one hundred and fifty (150) staff. A site has been acquired and the indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction is early 2009.

Acquisition of a suitable site in Kanturk is well advanced and the indicative timeframe at this stage for the completion of the construction of the Kanturk office is the end of 2008.

Valuation Office and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to Youghal, Co. Cork — As part of the overall decentralisation programme, it is intended that 100 posts of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and 100 posts of the Valuation Office will decentralised to Youghal, Co. Cork. I am informed by PAS and the Valuation Office that the number of people who have indicated their desire to decentralise to Youghal with these offices is 100 and 28 respectively. In accordance with the indicative timescale set out in the report from the Decentralisation Implementation Group both offices are working towards decentralising to Youghal in mid 2009.

While neither the Valuation Office or PAS are on the early-movers list, the Office of Public Works (OPW) have agreed terms to acquire a local authority site in Youghal from Cork County Council. The legal formalities are being pursued by the Chief State Solicitors Office in consultation with Cork County Council's legal team.

Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford — The OSI will decentralise 200 of its Dublin based Headquarters posts to Dungarvan. The OSI has a presence in six regional offices where a further 100 staff are located in: Kilkenny, Cork, Ennis, Tuam, Sligo and Longford. These offices will not be relocating to Dungarvan. Applications to decentralise with OSI have been made by forty nine (49) civil and public servants as well as sixteen (16) existing OSI staff based in Dublin. In addition, sixty three (63 OSI staff have been assigned to Dungarvan as a result of recruitment or promotions under the decentralisation programme since its commencement in December 2003. Arrangements for decentralisation are proceeding in accordance with the OSI implementation plan and a site has been acquired in Dungarvan by the Office of Public Works (OPW).