Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the current and capital expenditure which has been incurred to date in respect of the decentralisation projects which have been deferred until a further review occurs in 2011. [38893/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As set out in the recent Budget Day announcement, decisions on the implementation timelines for the proposed relocation of my Department's offices to Waterford, New Ross and Kilkenny have been deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of the budgetary situation. Decisions on the relocation of the Local Government Computer Services Board to Drogheda and the National Building Agency to Wexford have also been deferred.

The capital budget for the provision of office accommodation for my Department under the decentralisation programme is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). No current expenditure, specific to the three locations outlined above, has been incurred to date.

The capital and current decentralisation budgets of relevant bodies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the bodies concerned.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons who have been relocated to each of the decentralised locations established by units or agencies under his Department; the floor areas and occupancy capacity of each of the facilities concerned; and the date by which it is intended to complete the transfer of remaining staff. [38908/08]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff moves that have been necessitated by the decentralisation programme in units or agencies in his Department distinguishing the moves at managerial or technical level. [38923/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.

The Government announcement on 14 October 2008 confirmed that the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters to Wexford (270 posts) will proceed as planned. However the transfer of posts to the three other locations in the South East — Waterford (225 posts), New Ross (125 posts) and Kilkenny (62 posts) — is being deferred pending the outcome of a review in 2011 in light of budgetary developments.

The transfer of the National Building Agency and the Local Government Computer Services Board, to Wexford and Drogheda respectively, are also deferred pending the review.

Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 206 staff have transferred into my Department in order to decentralise to the South East — Wexford, Kilkenny, New Ross and Waterford. Of these, 188 were general administrative staff and 18 professional/technical staff.

Some 78 staff have transferred out of my Department to other decentralising Departments and 63 staff have transferred out to Departments remaining in Dublin. Vacancies arising in posts transferring to one of my Department's four locations in the South East have been filled by staff wishing to decentralise to the South East and also through a series of internal staff moves.

My Department's Headquarter offices in Wexford are under construction, and expected to be completed by December 2008 and ready for occupation from February 2009. My Department will then transfer 270 posts into these offices commencing in Q1 2009. An advance office was established in Wexford on 25 June 2007 and is currently staffed by 43 people.

The total floor area of the advance office is 495 sq. metres and accommodates approx 45 staff. The total floor area for the Wexford Headquarter offices currently under construction is 4,847 sq. metres and will accommodate 270 people.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the facilities in Dublin which units or agencies under his Department, plan to vacate as a result of the decentralisation programme; the floor areas involved; and when it is planned that they will be realised. [38938/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As part of the decentralisation programme, 270 posts in my Department are due to transfer to the Department's new Headquarters in Wexford during 2009. A rationalisation programme is being developed in respect of the Department's remaining offices in Dublin. A number of smaller offices in the city centre will be vacated and the relevant staff transferred into existing accommodation, including the Custom House. While the precise details remain to be worked out it is intended that the consolidation will be completed in the course of 2009.

In line with the Budget Day announcement, decisions in relation to the relocation timelines for the Local Government Computer Services Board and the National Building Agency have been deferred pending a review in light of the budgetary situation in 2011.