Decentralisation is being focused away from towns identified in the spatial strategy as "gateways" or "hubs" because transferring large numbers of civil servants to these towns would cause social and economic infrastructure problems, a minister said today.
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon O'Cuiv TD, was addressing a conference in Dublin today on the impact of decentralisation on public sector union staff.
Mr O'Cuiv rejected suggestions that the location of the decentralised offices was scattergun. "It would appear that some commentators expected the Government to pick 'gateways' and 'hubs' exclusively for decentralisation".
"I would like to clarify this issue. It was absolutely vital to ensure the widest choice possible for public servants that decentralisation would be spread over a wide geographic area."
He said to concentrate growth in "gateway" towns would exacerbate problems these towns face due to rapid expansion.
"The purpose of the spatial strategy is to build up critical mass for foreign direct investment, not to suck it out of development from rural areas."
Staff in departments being relocated will be able to aspire to promotion and will have reduced commuting times and lower house prices outside of Dublin, he said.
Decentralisation would set an example to the private sector that services can be delivered from the provinces.
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