Vol. 517 No. 4
84 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the proposed transfer of the National Disease Surveillance Centre from Dublin to Tullamore will proceed; the discussions, if any, held with staff prior to the announcement; the discussions, if any, he has had with staff on the proposal since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9897/00]
In October 1999 my predecessor decided that the National Disease Surveillance Centre should be located in the midland region as part of the decentralisation process.
At a meeting between officials of the Department and the chairman and director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre on 12 November 1999, it was explained that, in line with the Government's commitment to decentralisation, it was the Minister's intention to relocate the centre outside Dublin to the midland region. It was also pointed out that the high cost of accommodation in the Dublin area was a factor in his thinking. A further meeting on this issue took place between the Department and representatives of the National Disease Surveillance Centre on 30 November 1999.
I met with the chairman and director of the centre on 23 February and they outlined their concerns about the implications of the proposed relocation. I am considering the points which they made and I will communicate with them as soon as possible.
