107 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the decentralisation policy has been effective over the past decade; the number of civil servants involved; the Departments concerned; the further moves, if any, that are envisaged in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6932/96]

Decentralisation has made a significant, positive contribution to economic growth and employment creation in the centres which have benefited from it. About 2,800 personnel have relocated under the programme since 1987 or are in the process of doing so. Personnel have already decentralised to the following centres; Athlone, Ballina, Cavan, Cork, Ennis, Galway, Kilkenny, Killarney, Limerick, Letterkenny, Longford, Nenagh, Sligo and Tullamore.

Approximately 1,450 further personnel are due to decentralise to the remaining designated centres of Kilkenny, Waterford, Dundalk, Wexford and Roscommon.

The new offices in Portlaoise will open shortly and work will get under way on projects in Kilkenny (Phase II), Waterford and Wexford during this year.

The number of civil servants decentralised, the Departments and Offices involved and the locations to which they have moved are set out in the table attached.

Government's Decentralisation Programme 1/4/1996