Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the effect of the Budget 2009 statement on the earlier commitment to decentralise a section of her Department to Donegal Town; the number of posts involved; if in view of the rate of unemployment in Donegal she will allow the Donegal project to proceed immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35613/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the current programme of decentralisation, 258 posts in the Department are to be relocated to Donegal Town.

As outlined in Budget 2009, the Government, following a review of the decentralisation programme, in light of the changed economic circumstances and the deterioration in public finances, agreed a revised schedule for the programme. In prioritising projects a number of factors were taken into consideration, including issues such as sites already purchased and commitments already made, costs involved and the expectations of staff assigned to decentralising posts.

The remaining elements of the programme have been deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of the budgetary developments. The position in respect of relocation to Donegal Town will be reviewed at that time.