Decentralisation programme launched

The Central Applications Facility (CAF) which will allow public servants apply to participate in the Government's Decentralisation Programme with immediate effect, has been launched.

The CAF is being operated by the Civil Service Commission and has been developed to support the decentralisation programme.

The operation of such a system was one of the key recommendations of the Decentralisation Implementation Group's recent report to the Government.

The Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy launched the initiative today. He said: "The CAF is a crucial piece in the decentralisation jigsaw and central to the programme's successful implementation."

Public servants who lodge an application before July 8, 2004 will receive priority in cases where there is an excess of applications for a particular location.