New figures I have obtained in reply to a series of written parliamentary questions reveal that a huge number of those relocating under the government’s decentralisation programme are actually moving from locations other than Dublin.

The government’s decentralisation programme was justified originally on the basis that it would ease the pressure on infrastructure in the Dublin area and promote regional development. But simply transferring a public servant from Kilrush to Listowel does nothing to ease the pressure on Dublin or promote regional development.

Overall estimates suggest that about half those relocating are actually from outside of Dublin, but the replies I have received suggest that the ratio in some cases is far higher. Ironically probably the greatest failure in terms of persuading staff to move out of Dublin is in regard to bodies for which the Brian Cowen’s own Department of Finance has direct responsibility.

For instance in the case of the 50 Revenue Commissioner staff who have transferred to Newcastle West in Limerick, just 2 (4%) have moved from Dublin. In the case of the 54 Revenue staff who have transferred to Kilrush, just six (11%) have moved from Dublin, while of the 49 who have moved to Listowel the number again is six (12%). It is a similar pattern in regard to the 20 Office of Public Works staff who have moved to Claremorris, as just six were previously based in Dublin.

The government’s entire decentralisation programme is way behind schedule and looks increasingly incapable of ever being implemented. Even if it meets the objective set our in the recent report of the Decentralisation Implementation Group, that 2,000 civil and public servants will have moved to new locations by the end of 2007, it will mean that the government will have achieved only one fifth of its target in terms of numbers to move, 12 months behind schedule. And now we also know that many of these are simply moving from one rural town to another.

It is time for the government to face up to the reality of the situation, go back to the drawing board, and enter into negotiations on a realistic and workable programme of decentralisation that will make a real contribution to regional development.