asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will consider further decentralisation and having Department offices placed in Manorhamilton and Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, as these two towns could offer facilities for such offices which would help to solve their unemployment problem.

As already indicated, the Government favour the decentralisation of Departments and have taken steps which will result in the transfer of the Collection Branch and part of the Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department of Lands, the Examination Branch of the Department of Education and sections of Roinn na Gaeltachta to Castlebar, Athlone and Galway, respectively. The possibility of further decentralisation is under constant review. There are no immediate plans for any further transfer of Government offices but the possibility of locating offices in Manorhamilton and Drumshanbo will be borne in mind.

Question No. 96 withdrawn.