Mayo decentralisation

Mayo decentralisation now well under way

Anna-Marie Flynn

TALK of empty coffers in Government departments is not expected to hinder the decentralisation of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Mayo.
During a meeting of Swinford Fianna Fáil Comhairle Cheantair last week, attended by Deputies Beverley Flynn and Dara Calleary, Minister Eamon Ó Cuív assured the funding for the decentralisation project is secure.
Deputy Beverley Flynn confirmed the initiative is going ahead as planned. “The move is already so far progressed, with 101 of 170 civil servants based in temporary accommodation in Tubbercurry, that it is not an at-risk project. Terms have been agreed for a suitable 4.89-acre site and the contract for the site in Charlestown is currently being processed by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.”
When the new offices are completed, 140 civil servants will be employed in them.
Deputy Flynn said a site has also been purchased in Claremorris and 35 staff are already in temporary accommodation, but added that no contracts have been signed for the building.
“The Government is currently awaiting reports from the Decentralisation Implementation Group and the Implementation Group of Secretaries General and once that is received it will be known what projects are going to progress and at what pace,” she added.
A total of 72 per cent of the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Department’s workforce has now moved out of Dublin.
Speaking in Swinford, Minister Ó Cuív also gave assurances that the Western Rail Corridor will continue as planned.