Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [38886/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the decentralisation announcement in Budget 2009, the moves to Fermoy, Macroom and Enniscorthy have been deferred pending a review in 2011. Since the original decentralisation announcement, my Department made no specific provision for expenditure nor has there been any specific expenditure recorded by the Department in relation to these proposed moves.

The Office of Public Works deals with the acquisition of property for the decentralisation programme and had made progress in identifying sites at all three locations. All progress in relation to these sites has now been deferred pending the review in 2011.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [38901/08]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [38916/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.

In total there has been an increase of 297 full-time posts in Portlaoise and 84 in Clonakilty since the decentralisation programme was announced. The Department's move to Clonakilty is now substantially complete.

Pending delivery of the permanent accommodation, the OPW has leased accommodation for the Department in Portlaoise on a temporary basis.

Pending delivery of the permanent accommodation, the OPW has leased accommodation for the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in Clonakilty on a temporary basis.

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, with a current staffing complement there of 47, was established directly in Clonakilty.

In addition to staffing issues, the completion of the decentralisation programme depends on the availability of the permanent accommodation. The Department awaits confirmation from the Office of Public Works (OPW) of the timescale for delivery of the building in Portlaoise. OPW announced last December that a consortium, the Macquarie Partnership, has won the tender for the project to build the permanent offices in Portlaoise (as part of a public private partnership including offices in Mullingar and Carlow) and planning permission for the new building was granted earlier this year. The permanent office in Clonakilty is due to be completed in quarter 1, 2009.

The 297 posts that moved to Portlaoise can be broken down by grade.

The 84 posts that moved to Clonakilty can be broken down by grade.