Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of FÁS within the Government's decentralisation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29882/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's decentralisation programme, which includes 2,300 State Agency posts, FÁS is due to transfer its head office, including some 383 staff, to Birr, Co Offaly.

FÁS currently has 20 staff members based in Birr who are working out of offices located within the Birr Technology Centre. It is anticipated that 40 staff will be located there by the end of the year. In addition to this a further 67 staff have expressed an interest in relocating to Birr. In October 2007 FÁS completed the purchase of a site in Birr in connection with the decentralisation of its headquarters. An application for planning permission is currently being prepared and will be submitted in due course.