High number of decentralisation applicants already outside Dublin

Almost half of the 7,200 applications from civil servants to the decentralisation programme come from staff already working outside the capital.

When Mr McCreevy announced his decentralisation plan as a key element of Budget 2004, the target was to transfer of 10,300 civil servants out of Dublin by 2007.

Only 3,711 Dublin-based civil servants submitted applications for more than 7,200 new regional positions available in the first round of offers, according to data released today by the Department of the Environment.

This is a significant rise on the 2,200 civil servants who had applied for jobs on the Government's decentralisation website in July.

However, 3,350 civil servants already working outside Dublin have also applied for posts in the 50 provincial areas earmarked for new jobs.

The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, said the Government's decision to proceed with the programme had been vindicated by the data and it was on track for a successful implementation.

"The level of applications received to date prove that there is a real appetite for the Government's decentralisation programme within the public service.

"The Government has an obligation to all those who have applied to participate in the programme, as well as the towns to which they will be relocating and all concerned can be assured that the Government won't be found wanting in meeting that obligation," he said.

However, the Labour Party said the Government has missed almost all its decentralisation targets. Ms Joan Burton, party spokesperson on finance said half of those seeking to move are already outside Dublin.

"Moving public servants from Sligo to Longford or from Limerick to Kildare does not constitute decentralisation."

"The situation in regard to state agencies is particularly acute with, in a number of cases, no staff seeking to move to the proposed new locations," she said.

Overall, more than 8,900 applications or expressions of interest from civil and public servants were lodged with the Central Applications Facility.

A number of trends are evident, with posts in areas within commuting distance of Dublin, like the proposed new office for the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Drogheda attracting 55 applications over the 556 posts available. A similar level of interest is evident in Trim.

However, there is evidence that more specialised staff are less willing to move. Only 124 applications have been received for 379 new posts with the Revenue Commissioner in Kildare.

Applications from state agency employees are running at only a third of the jobs available.

Agencies that have received low applications to date include the new National Roads Authority office in Ballinasloe. Only three Dublin-based staff applied for one of the 89 positions.

Only 14 applications for 199 posts with Ordinance Survey Ireland in Dungarvan have been received, while the 178 posts on offer with Fáilte Ireland in Mallow, Co Cork, prompted two applications from Dublin.

Although the September 7th date for receipt of priority applications has passed, the Department of Finance says the Central Applications Facility will accept applications until the decentralisation programme is complete.