Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Legal Aid Service.

Liz McManus

Question:

82 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the proposed move of the headquarters of the Legal Aid Board to Cahirciveen, County Kerry; if agreement has been reached with staff concerned; the number of staff who will be relocated; the number of new staff who will have to be recruited; the total cost of the proposed move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2530/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

As the Deputy will be aware, a Government decision of 21 July 1999 approved the transfer of the Legal Aid Board's head office to Cahirciveen, County Kerry, and authorised the Office of Public Works to source an appropriate building for the board's use.

The Office of Public Works placed an advertisement in the national and local press inviting proposals from owners of potentially suitable sites in the Cahirciveen area. As a consequence of this public advertisement, the Office of Public Works have identified a number of suitable sites for the relocated head office of the board and have recently made an offer in respect of one site. Developments are awaited.

In relation to the staffing issue, an internal circular issued recently within the board seeking declarations of interest from staff in the move to Cahirciveen. I understand that a small number of staff has applied internally to participate and the board has now requested the Department of Finance to issue an interdepartmental circular seeking applicants from throughout the Civil Service, this is in line with the procedure followed in other decentralisation programmes. The number of new staff, if any, to be recruited will not become apparent until the latter stages of the recruitment process. However, I can assure the Deputy that both staff and the unions representing them are being kept fully informed of all developments in relation to the transfer.

The proposed number of staff to be relocated to Cahirciveen is 39 but when account is taken of the staff at dual locations, the total number of staff working from the Cahirciveen base will be 42.

As agreement has not yet been reached on the acquisition of a site for the head office of the board in Cahirciveen I am unable to determine the total cost of the proposed move.