197 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress made regarding the proposed decentralisation to Macroom; the numbers who have volunteered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3967/04]

Since the decision to decentralise part of my Department to Macroom an internal decentralisation implementation committee has been established. This committee is liaising with the central implementation committee as necessary and other relevant bodies, for example, the Office of Public Works, on all aspects of the decentralisation programme. A preliminary survey of officers serving in my Department has been carried out and some 64 officers have indicated that they wish to transfer to Macroom.