A draft proposal for the relocation of 10,000 Civil Service jobs outside of Dublin is to be brought before Government early in the new year.
The new decentralisation programme will involve moving Government departments almost in their entirety, and for the first time, non-commercial state-sponsored bodies are also to be considered for relocation.
The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, is trying to pinpoint which departments would be best suitable for relocation. He has asked his Cabinet colleagues to examine whether their departments, or offices under the aegis of their departments, would be suitable for decentralisation.
Mr McCreevy wants to bring initial proposals to Government early in the new year with a view to deciding which departments or offices are to be moved by the summer. As soon as agreement for relocation is given, the Minister will ask the Office of Public Works to acquire suitable sites for offices.
With planning requirements, tendering and construction work, he estimates that it would be a further two to three years before staffs could begin to move. Logistical arrangements such as staff training and the provision of suitable accommodation will also be addressed.
Since 1981, some 4,000 civil servants have been relocated to 20 provincial centres in 19 counties. When another 10,000 civil servants are moved, almost half of the Civil Service will be based outside Dublin.
Channelling public-sector jobs into provincial areas is a key plank of the Government policy of balanced regional development. The Government believes the positive effects of decentralisation, including the economic benefits to host locations, a better use of existing infrastructure and the reduction in Dublin congestion, will outweigh any negative effects such as additional administrative costs.
Resistance to moving jobs outside of Dublin has diminished among public servants in recent years due to the growth in the economy, inflation in Dublin house prices and the prospect of a better quality of life outside of the capital.
A Department of Finance source said "no town or city" would be ruled out in the search for suitable decentralisation centres. "The Government is anxious that decentralisation will continue to contribute to the promotion or regional development and the greater geographical spread of Government services."
For the first time it is intended to include non-commercial state-sponsored bodies in the decentralisation programme. While the programme does not extend to commercial state-sponsored bodies, it is understood Mr McCreevy would welcome decisions of such bodies to consider decentralisation on commercial grounds.