I would like to ask the Minister for Defence, acting for the Taoiseach, about the decentralisation programme. Is he happy that the Civil Service will be able to operate at its traditional high standard, given the method of dispensation and break-up here? The concept of decentralisation has been supported over many years and many towns in Ireland have gained economically and socially as a consequence. However, it is obvious from canvassing here in Dublin over the last few weeks that there is serious unrest among people who are being asked to move when they do not want to do so, despite the fact that this is a voluntary scheme.

Can the Minister explain what is to happen to people working with Bus Éireann who are to be transferred to Mitchelstown? It is a very fine town, but they might not want to go because of commitments to their families. They cannot obtain any information on their future career prospects. What is the situation of those working in the Valuation Office who are to be sent to Youghal, another fine town? For family reasons they might not want to move, but they cannot obtain information on career prospects either. Has this matter been thought through by the Government? Is there anyone who can explain their future career prospect to professional and technical personnel working in semi-State bodies? The website provided does not give information on the issue. These professional people, who may not want to move for a variety or reasons, feel that they are being left high and dry because they are getting no answers.

This concept was never discussed in detail as part of the spatial strategy. As the scheme is voluntary, what is in store for people like those I described who decide not to go?

The report on decentralisation implementation was submitted to the Government in early April 2004. The Government accepted its recommendations and the report was published on 7 April. Among its recommendations was the establishment of an integrated transfer system called the central applications facility, which will allow people to apply for transfer to decentralised locations and to rank their preferences for different locations. It was recommended that the system be web-based and be operated by the Civil Service Commission.

The central applications facility, or CAF, was launched by the Minister for Finance on 10 May 2004. The Minister described the CAF as a further vital step towards the Government's implementation of the decentralisation programme, and as a commitment to those public servants anxious to participate in it. The Minister also described the CAF as a crucial piece in the decentralisation jigsaw and central to the programme's successful implementation. The CAF is available at www.publicjobs/caf.ie and applicants require PPS numbers to apply.

Could the Minister translate that into English?

Since the programme was first announced, we have got used to opposition to its principle from the Opposition.

The Government has been fooling around with this for five years.

One only has to travel to towns around the country on a Friday or a Sunday evening to see the many young people travelling to this city who are anxious to be transferred closer to their own counties.

The Minister should answer the question.

There are circumstances where individuals do not wish to transfer.

Less than 5% want to transfer.

Each Department and agency has established its own unit to adjudicate and assist each individual. This programme will proceed whether the Opposition likes it or not.

It will proceed whether the Civil Service likes it or not.

That is an answer of truly imbecilic proportions and it shows absolute contempt and arrogance. I live in a town which benefited from decentralisation in the 1970s. I asked the Minister a question on behalf of dedicated public servants. I mentioned Mitchelstown, a fine town in provincial Ireland. Some 200 people are to be transferred from Bus Éireann, but there are only 80 posts that can be transferred because they are administrative. There are only two people who wish to go voluntarily. The remainder are bus drivers, mechanics and so on. There are people here in Dublin, married with children, who may not wish to move because they have friends here, their children are going to school and so on. It is a voluntary scheme, yet no one is able to tell them what is in store for them if they decide not to move. I want to know why. That is the question I asked.

Anyone canvassing in Dublin will often have been asked by civil servants how the Government consulted with their Department, semi-State agency or body. They will claim that they like their job and they do not want to move because they are settled here. Can the Minister explain the future career prospects of those people? He should not spout nonsense about the Opposition being against decentralisation. I know the value of decentralisation in Tullamore, Letterkenny, Castlebar and Ballina. The Minister should answer the question. This is a political move as the Government is running scared before the people.

Hear, hear.

There have been a numberof extremely successful decentralisation programmes.

Hear, hear.

Including in the Deputy's county.

They were carried out in the face of the kind of opposition the Deputy is outlining. He has only to go to his county and discuss that matter with those civil servants.

I said that.

Yes.

That is agreed. Now, what will happen to those people?

Everybody recognises that there will be some difficulties and that there will be quite a number of people who want to remain in Dublin. Our Government has proved, in terms of reaching consensus on a range of issues, that we will operate this one successfully as well.