Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position of the decentralisation of her Department's office from Cork city to Fermoy; the progress on the recruitment of staff for the facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30586/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decision on the decentralisation of my Department includes the transfer of the local offices in Cork city to Fermoy, involving up to 100 staff. Since the announcement an implementation plan for Fermoy was put in place and my Department has worked with the OPW regarding a specification for the office and the identification of a site. OPW has made some progress in this regard lately and an official announcement is expected. Their latest estimate is that construction will be completed in the second quarter of 2009.

Recruitment for Fermoy has begun and will be carried out on a phased basis in order to try to ensure continuity of business and the maintenance of service. Five applicants from the Central Applications Facility have been recruited to date and more appointments are planned. There is also a significant level of interest among existing staff.