asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline his intentions regarding the shortfalls in applications for the decentralisation programme; whether he intends to promote from the ranks of those already in the Civil Service or to recruit from outside the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware the decentralisation programme is taking place on a phased basis of which the transfers to Ballina, Cavan, Galway and Sligo constitute the first phase. As has already been indicated, staff will be transferring to these locations from mid-1989 onwards. As of now, the number of volunteers for these locations leaves a shortfall on some grades, and various options to make up these shortfalls are being considered.