The Government has made of €587 million from decentralisation property and site sales, and expects to profit further by jointly developing other properties with private developers.

The amount also includes lands that have been transferred to the Affordable Homes Partnership.

However, while the state has sold-off the profitable Dublin properties, just €80 has been spent acquiring alternative decentralised sites. Of that figure, €55 million was spent on buying new sites at 19 different locations and €15 million was spent on renting and fitting out five premises.

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The latest site identified for decentralised offices has been confirmed at Charlestown, Co Mayo.

The site, beside the Vocational School on the N17, has been singled out as the location for the decentralised Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Senator John Carty said: "It was very disappointing when the process was stalled last year but we are now back on track with a suitable site in the town of Charlestown.

"The site will now go through the normal planning procedures and I am hopeful that we will be in a position to commence work on the building in 2009/2010."

Once completed the decentralisation of the Department will bring some 170 job to the town.

Mr Carty said: "This will have an enormously positive economic knock-on effect for the town and for the larger region."

(VB/JM)