The Taoiseach and Tánaiste said today the planned decentralisation programme would be implemented "as quickly as possible" but did not say it would be achieved with the three-year timeframe.
In a statement, Mr Ahern said the Government remained "determined to implement the programme". The Taoiseach was speaking after the publication of a report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group, chaired by Mr Phil Flynn.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern
Referring to the three-year target set by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, the Taoiseach said "If we are serious about decentralisation, and we are, it is important to set ourselves a challenging target for implementation. I remain determined to see substantial progress achieved over the shortest possible timeframe."
The report, published at lunchtime, recommended that "independent outside expertise be engaged to help us understand, through the use of focus group interviews and other processes, how those who are still considering their options under the decentralisation programme view the decision to move from Dublin, and the key levers and barriers to their decision-making".
Preliminary data, cited in the report, indicates 2,949 Dublin-based public servants are interested in moving out of the capital. This equates to 35 per cent of the 8,527 jobs to be decentralised.
Data indicates that only a minority of staff wish to move with their existing employer to the new locations. Of the 2,949 Dublin-based public servants interested in moving out of Dublin, only 478 or 16 per cent are interesting in moving with their current organisation.
"However this is no different to previous decentralisation programmes at a similar stage," the report says. "We believe the overall figures for the civil service represent an encouraging start."
In relation to timeframe the report says: "A big bang approach with all organisations moving at the same time is neither feasible nor desirable.
"We consider that the most appropriate approach is likely to involve an initial tranche of moves comprising a group of rganisations/locations.
"The selection of organisations for inclusion in this first phase of moves would need to have particular regard to the figures emerging from the Central Applications Facility and the state of readiness as indicated by implementation plans but other factors could also be important."
The Taoiseach said: "Very many public servants want to participate in the decentralisation programme, far more than had been predicted by the doom and gloom merchants."
Ms Harney also said it was important that decentralisation was implemented as quickly as possible.
"The sheer scale of the proposal is an assurance in itself that the same opportunities for career advancement will exist within the public service regardless of location," she said.
"Decentralisation also offers the added prospect of an improved working environment and an enhanced lifestyle. The success of previous decentralisation initiatives confirms our belief that Government departments can function as efficiently outside of the capital, as within."
But the Impact trade union immediately called for a review of the decentralisation programme, saying the timetable was "crucially" dependent on the availability of staff.
National Secretary Mr Peter Nolan said it was "incredible" the Government had proceeded with the plan "without dealing with basic operational issues".
"The Flynn report bears out our view that these proposals have not been thought through, and that departments are ill-prepared for relocation on this massive scale," he said.
