Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position in regard to the Governments decentralisation programme; if it is intended to proceed as originally indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29924/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group was submitted to me and published on 8 October last. The group reported that implementation of the Civil Service element of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. At the end of October 2007, over 3,000 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. Almost 1,300 of them are in place in 20 new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location, as soon as accommodation becomes available. In addition to these 20 locations there are a further nine locations in which State agencies have established a presence. It is envisaged that by the end of 2007 public services will be delivered from 33 of the decentralisation towns with approximately 2,000 staff transferred. The precise numbers moving within that timeframe will depend on the availability of property as well as timeframes for completion of fit-out and installation of necessary information communications technology and telecommunication cabling and equipment.

The OPW conducts a review of the property timeframes for permanent accommodation on an ongoing basis. Based on its experience to date in relation to timeframes for property selection and acquisition, brief and design issues, tendering periods, planning issues and contractual arrangements, it has provided an updated schedule of the likely availability of accommodation. In that context I expect that the Civil Service elements of the programme should be substantially completed by the end of 2009. While there are a number of challenges remaining, which have been identified by the DIG in its latest report, my Department and the wider management of the public service will continue to work closely with staff representatives to seek appropriate solutions to address the concerns of the professional and technical staff in the civil service and those employed in state agencies, while also ensuring the delivery of the Government programme.

I can confirm that the Government is determined to make progress towards advancing the State agency elements of the programme during the lifetime of this administration. In this context I refer the House to the remarks of the Decentralisation Implementation Group that over 1,000 employees of State agencies have expressed a preference on the CAF to relocate with either another public service or Civil Service organisation and it is not unreasonable that these applicants would expect that their applications would have been advanced at this stage. The recent Labour Court recommendation in relation to FÁS provides unions and management with a fresh opportunity to address this issue constructively. My Department is currently pursuing this matter with ICTU.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the cost and location of sites or premises acquired to date in the context of the Government's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29925/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the properties acquired to date under the Decentralisation Programme are as follows:

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of civil or public servants relocated to date in conjunction with the Government's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29926/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group was submitted to me and published on 8 October last. The Group reported that implementation of the Civil Service element of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. At the end of October 2007, over 3,000 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. Almost 1,300 of them are in place, in 20 new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location. These staff will relocate as accommodation becomes available. In addition to these 20 locations there are a further nine locations in which state agencies have established a presence. It is envisaged that by the end of 2007 public services will be delivered from 33 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 information communications technology and telecommunication cabling and equipment.