Vol. 430 No. 2
6 Mr. Callely asked the Taoiseach if he will give a breakdown of the total cost involved to date for his Department under the Government's current programme of decentralisation; if he will clarify the costs and relevant payments to personnel with regard to the relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With regard to the Department of the Taoiseach, the Deputy's question is relevant only to the Central Statistics Office.
The bulk of the cost of decentralising the Central Statistics Office to Cork will be incurred this year. The sum of £2.11 million is provided for this purpose in the 1993 Estimates of expenditure for the office. This breaks down as follows:
|
1993 |
|
|
Subhead |
Estimate |
|
(£000) |
|
|
A1 Salaries, wages and allowances |
225 |
|
A2 Travel and subsistence |
77 |
|
A3 Incidental expenses |
22 |
|
A4 Postal and telecommunication services |
165 |
|
A5 Office machinery and other office supplies |
498 |
|
A6 Office premises expenses |
1,108 |
|
A8 Collection of statistics |
15 |
|
Total |
2,110 |
The fixed tenant purchase terms for the new Cork office will be less than the rental rates currently being paid for accommodating the staff in Dublin which are also subject to periodic upward rent reviews and give no ultimate ownership. These payments are made by the Office of Public Works.
Can the Taoiseach tell the House if any involuntary transfers to Cork will occur from amongst the Central Statistics Office staff, if any of the staff will have to leave the office because they wish to remain working in Dublin and if the industrial relations negotiations concerning possible involuntary transfers of staff have yet been concluded?
Approximately 400 CSO posts are being transferred to Cork, being done on the basis that obtained up to now. Volunteers are first canvassed from within the Central Statistics Office. If a sufficient number do not wish to transfer, volunteers will be canvassed from other Government Departments. Subsequent staff shortfalls will be filled by special promoton competitions and by direct recruitment for entry grades. We are at the third stage of that process at present and I am not aware of any staff relations difficulties.
What extra cost will be involved annually in locating the office in Cork, having regard to increased telecommunications and postal charges?
I do not expect that there will be any increase in the cost. It will probably be less than the cost at present because of the lower rent and costs involved in relation to the buildings and offices.
What will happen to staff who do not volunteer to transfer but who wish to remain working in that general area in the public service? How will their interests be looked after by the Minister? What type of work will they be doing?
That is a matter for staff relations in union negotiations; the Minister will not be involved in that area.
On the broader question of the decentralisation policy, as Dublin is now a major black spot in regard to unemployment, will the Minister consider a further extension of the decentralisation programme and give preference to the greater Dublin area by retaining some of those badly needed jobs in Dublin?
The current round of decentralisation was agreed by the previous Government, of which Deputy Burke was a member.
I fully supported that policy.
Deputy Burke's question is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
I supported the decentralisation policy but the situation has reversed since then. Dublin has now reached a critical stage in regard to unemployment. Rather than give a flippant reply, will the Minister consider seriously bringing to the attention of the relevant Minister the need to re-examine the decentralisation policy? There is a major unemployment problem in the Dublin area.
I am sure the Deputy knows that the Government is well aware of the problems of unemployment, not just in Dublin but throughout the country.
