Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 8

Written Answers. - Customs and Excise Service.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

73 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if there are any proposals being examined by his or any other Government Departments at present to help lessen the loss of jobs in the customs and excise service along the Border with the advent of 1992; if consideration will be given to the decentralisation of a Government Department to Dundalk in order to take up any losses in the frontier posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

It is not possible at this stage to accurately assess the staffing implications for Customs and Excise in advance of definite proposals emerging in relation to the completion of the Internal Market.

A subcommittee of the Civil Service General Council have been established under the conciliation and arbitration scheme to examine the implications of the implementation of the Internal Market, and, in particular, the consequences for staffing.

A survey is being carried out at present by the Institute of Public Administration for the purpose of establishing the attitude and views of Customs and Excise staff to redeployment and voluntary redundancy in the context of changes that may arise on completion of the Internal Market.

The Revenue Commissioners are keeping the situation under review; in consultation, as appropriate, with the staff interests concerned.

There are no plans to relocate any Government office to Dundalk. It is, however, the Government's intention that sections of An Post and/or Telecom Éireann will transfer to Dundalk. Progress on this aspect of the decentralisation programme is a matter for the Minister for Communications.