Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position of the decentralisation programme for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21366/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2010. This will involve the relocation of approximately 300 posts.

122 civil servants have signed up to decentralise with my Department to Cavan to date. 47 have already relocated to interim accommodation in Elm House, Cavan. This figure is expected to be augmented by an additional 13 staff, bringing the total working there to 60, when the next phase of temporary accommodation comes on stream shortly.

In addition, my Department continues to progress an additional 54 applications from civil servants who have expressed an interest on the Central Applications facility (CAF) in relocating to Cavan.

My Department is liaising with the Office of Public Works (OPW) on accommodation needs for further phases of relocating staff in advance of the planned permanent move. In addition we are liaising with OPW on the specification for a purpose built permanent building on the site which OPW have already acquired in Cavan town.