Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Finance the savings he anticipates making in expenditure on property, rents and leases arising from the suspension of parts of the decentralisation programme; the leases or purchases of properties that are now redundant to requirements following his decision to suspend these elements of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45344/08]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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As announced in the Budget, the Government has reviewed the Decentralisation Programme in light of the changed economic circumstances and identified priority elements on which implementation should now proceed. The Government's decision will result in the relocation of up to 6,000 posts to over 40 locations outside of Dublin. This is made up of 2,600 posts already moved, together with an additional 3,400 posts that are in train. Decisions on the timing of further work on implementation of the balance of the programme are being deferred pending a review in 2011 in light of budgetary developments.

Having regard to the fact that the decision by Government is to defer, and not to cancel, elements of the programme pending a review in 2011, it is not possible, in advance of that review, to say what, if any, savings will be achieved as a result of the review. The total amount of expenditure to date in relation to the property aspects of the programme is approximately €270m. This includes the cost of site/property acquisitions, fit-out works and rent paid to date. These costs have been offset by property disposals in Dublin.

Sites have been acquired in the following locations where the programme has been deferred: Cavan, Dungarvan, Edenderry, Thomastown, Thurles and Waterford. The total cost incurred in their acquisition was €17.5m.