Two-year time-frame set for first moves out of Dublin

The Government is shortly to announce plans to relocate a number of Departments and several State agencies outside Dublin within two years, in a move aimed at reaffirming its commitment to decentralisation.

However, it is expected to step back from its pledge to complete the entire process by 2007 by announcing plans for "sequencing" the decentralisation of other agencies and Departments.

The locations to be included in the first wave of decentralisation will include those most heavily subscribed by civil servants and where property deals are at an advanced stage.

They are expected to include the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (to Carlow), Communications and Social and Family Affairs (Drogheda), Finance (Tullamore), Defence (Newbridge), the Office of Public Works (Trim), the Revenue Commissioners (Kilrush, Newcastle West) and the Irish Prison Service (Longford).

A decentralisation advisory group, chaired by former IMPACT general secretary, Mr Phil Flynn, is due to finalise the list of Departments and agencies to be moved within two weeks and a Government announcement is expected before December's Budget.

Latest official figures show the number of Dublin-based civil and public servants who have expressed an interest in moving out of the capital - 4,245 - has fallen well short of the Government's target of 10,300.

There had been speculation earlier this year that the Government would dilute its decentralisation proposals following the departure of the minister for finance, Mr McCreevy, to Brussels.

However, the Minister of State for Finance, Mr Tom Parlon, said the Government was determined to press ahead with the full decentralisation programme, although he did not say when it would be completed.

"There is a very clear appetite among civil servants for decentralisation. Over 80 per cent of the posts we advertised have been applied for, so clearly many people are itching to move," he told The Irish Times.

"The Government is absolutely determined that the full programme will be delivered. I was answering questions on this issue with the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, the week before last and he is also very firm in his commitment towards decentralisation."

Mr Parlon acknowledged there was a problem seeking sufficient numbers for the decentralisation of some State agencies and said they may be dealt with at a later date.

Following the announcement of the first round of decentralisation, there will be a two-year window for civil servants and officials to prepare to move, he said. This time-frame would also allow for the construction or acquisition of new offices or headquarters.

While it is unlikely Departments or agencies will be fully established in their new locations ahead of the next general election, Mr Parlon said at least "people will see activity on the ground".

Another issue to be resolved will be finding sufficient numbers of adequately qualified civil servants. While there is a relatively high rate of applicants at lower Civil Service grades, there is less demand among more senior civil servants.

The Government announced plans just over a year ago to decentralise 10,300 civil servants to 53 centres around the State beginning in March 2004.

Mr McCreevy pledged on several occasions that the Government would meet the 2007 deadline.

"It can be done, and it will be done," he said last December.

The locations to be included in the coming announcement are mainly expected to be in the heavily-subscribed commuter belt of Dublin.

However, Mr Parlon said he was hopeful that, in general, there would be a "good geographical spread".