The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was scheduled to complete its move to Knock airport by the end of next year under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Dáil was told.
Éamon Ó Cuív said up to 26 staff members had indicated a willingness to move to Knock.
"Additional staff are transferring to my department from other Dublin departments for decentralisation. In addition, a large number of applicants, who are currently decentralised, wish to transfer to my department.
"With all of those staff, and with the adoption of appropriate HR and risk-management responses, I believe I will have sufficient applicants to fill all posts, both for the advance move and for the next phase of my department's decentralisation programme, namely, the relocation to the new permanent headquarter building."
Fine Gael spokesman Dinny McGinley said continuity of expertise was needed after the department was decentralised.
