Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the annual costs incurred by his Department in the implementation of the decentralisation scheme for each of the past four years, broken down between property and non-property costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35550/08]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made by his Department on implementing the decentralisation scheme, including the number of staff who have moved under the scheme and the property bought or rented outside Dublin under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35565/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together.

The decentralisation programme is well advanced in my Department. From a total of 140 staff due to decentralise to Charlestown, Co Mayo, 100 have now relocated on an interim basis to Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, where two properties are being rented by my Department. In addition to this, the Office of Public Works is engaged in the process of selecting and purchasing an appropriate site for a new HQ building for my Department at Charlestown.

My Department's commitment under the decentralisation programme in relation to Na Forbacha, Co Galway, has been met in full, with 10 staff now relocated in my Department's regional offices there. From 2004 to end September 2008, my Department incurred expenditure of €1,224,023 in non-property costs in respect of the Tubbercurry offices, broken down as follows:

2004 — €6,702

2005 — €5,436

2006 — €719,189

2007 — €210,896

2008 — €281,800 (to end September)

The Deputy will appreciate that any property costs arising are a matter for the Office of Public Works.