asked the Minister for the Public Service if he is aware of the problems now arising in Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo, in relation to promotion; his Department's attitude towards expanded decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I assume the Deputy has in mind the cases of officers who were transferred to Castlebar when sections of the former Department of Lands were decentralised from Dublin. The position of such officers in the matter of promotion is no different from that of the many other officers serving in local offices of Departments.

This matter will however be examined specially in relation to the Government's plans, which are at present under consideration, for the further decentralisation of Government offices from Dublin.

Is it departmental policy to continue with decentralisation of departmental offices to country areas? Many of those transferred to Davitt House in Castlebar went there specifically because they were requested to do so as they had applied for transfers and on reaching promotion stage they find that outlets for promotion are not available in Davitt House, that they would have to return to the city to benefit by promotion.

The Government have this matter under active consideration at present. The situation regarding officers in Davitt House, Castlebar, is no different from that of officers in any other local offices of Departments.

Quite a number of people have reached promotion point and find they now have to decide whether they should return to Dublin to gain promotion or stay in the country at a lower level.

I am so aware.

Can the Minister do anything about it?

As I said, the matter will be specially examined in the context of decisions taken by the Government on further decentralisation.

Can the Minister give any indication of when a final decision will be given?

Soon.

Next year?

Soon.