Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 May 1988

Vol. 380 No. 10

Written Answers. - Decentralisation of Department.

82.

Mr. Nealon

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the branches or sections of his Department which will be transferred to the new offices being built in Sligo; the total number of staff involved, giving details of the grades; if the transfer of staff will be on a voluntary basis; the number of the existing staff who have indicated that they will be willing to transfer; the grades concerned; the number of the existing staff who have indicated a refusal to transfer; the grades concerned; the date of the deadline for existing staff to make a definite decision regarding transferring; if civil servants elsewhere in his Department and/or from other Departments have been invited to submit applications for transfer; if so, the number who have applied; if a preference will be given to civil servants with homes in the general area; and if the existing lists of priority for transfer to Sligo offices as they existed before decentralisation of part of his Department, will be taken into consideration for the new jobs in Sligo.

83.

Mr. Nealon

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the target date for the commencement of work in the section(s) of his Department being relocated in Sligo.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 82 and 83 together.

The functions to be transferred from the Dublin offices of my Department to Sligo during 1989, will be drawn from the pensions, social assistance allowance, child benefit and "free" scheme areas. Approximately 300 staff are required ranging across all the general service grades from messenger to principal.

Staff are being sought on a voluntary basis from among serving civil servants who wish to transfer to Sligo. About 75 staff in the Department of Social Welfare wish to be considered for transfer to Sligo under the decentralisation programme. Additional volunteers in all grades are currently being sought in other Government Departments. As the closing date for receipt of applications is 27 May 1988 it is not possible to say how many officers are interested.

Staff in my Department are being given first option for transfer under the scheme. Applicants from other Departments will be selected having regard to seniority and suitability, except in the grades of clerical officer, clerical assistant and clerical assistant (typist), who will be called from the existing central transfer lists. Officers are placed on the central transfer list in accordance with their date of application, irrespective of the location of their homes.

Preparatory work for the relocation in Sligo has already commenced in my Department.