Minister McGuinness welcomes commencement of decentralisation to Carlow

Minister for Trade and Commerce, John McGuinness, TD has today (Monday July 30th 2007) welcomed the commencement of the first phase of the relocation of 100 staff of his Department to Carlow.

Speaking outside the temporary location of the newly relocated staff Minister McCuinness said “The relocation of advance staff to these premises marks an important event for the Carlow region. I am confident that Carlow itself will benefit from this initial relocation of 100 staff and their families who will contribute to the economic well being of this area.”

Minister McGuiness added that now the advanced staff have arrived he is confident that the decentralisation of Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment staff will be a success and that in the months ahead we will see more civil servants relocating to the quality lifestyle that Carlow offers.

The business units/Offices of the Department which have been included in the advance move are the New HQ of National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) and one business unit of the Companies Registration Office (CRO)

Approximately 100 staff, i.e. 63 staff from NERA, 33 staff from a division within the CRO, along with a small number of support staff, will operate in the Department’s temporary offices.

“I am particularly encouraged at the high level of interest expressed by so many in moving to Carlow and believe this decentralisation shows that this is a region where people want to live and work”, Minister McGuiness concluded.

ENDS/TC285

Photos issued directly to photodesks by Karl McDonoghue Potography, Carlow - 0599131143