Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Finance if he is committed to expenditure on the decentralisation programme in view of the economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31329/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the projects under the decentralisation scheme which have been put on hold; and the terms of reference of the assessment being undertaken. [31451/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 61 together.

The Government decided on 8th July last that no further expenditure on the acquisition of accommodation for decentralisation should be sanctioned pending detailed consideration by the Government of two reports: one from the Decentralisation Implementation Group's report on the feasibility of phased moves by the State Agencies; and one from the Implementation Group of Secretaries General on the governmental and cross-Departmental issues arising from the need to provide facilities for Minister, Ministers of State and officials while in Dublin on business.

I expect to present these reports for consideration by the Government over the coming weeks.