Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 6

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Cost.

Ivor Callely

Question:

28 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a breakdown of the total cost involved to date for his Department under the Government's current programme for decentralisation; if he will clarify the costs and relevant payments to personnel with regard to relocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The estimated cost incurred to date by my Department on decentralisation projects in Sligo, Leterkenny and Longford is £3,296,000. The breakdown of this figure is set out in a tabular statement which will be made available to the Deputy.

As regards payments to staff for relocation, personnel who move under the programme do so on a voluntary basis. When staff are being canvassed, it is made clear to potential applicants that under the arrangements which apply to all Departments, removal expenses are not payable. However, volunteers in provincial locations who come to Dublin for necessary training in advance of relocation are paid a special ex gratia allowance in respect of their additional expenses while serving in Dublin in accordance with agreed rates and time limits. As can be seen from the following table the total amount involved to date is only £78,000.

The decentralisation programmes of my Department to Sligo and Letterkenny have been very successful, bringing a much needed boost to the economies of the two towns and reversing past trends which saw the outflow of much of the local population to seek work in the Civil Service in Dublin. I have visited these centres and I have been very impressed by the air of efficiency and well being among the staff — a staff who are generally closer to home and who are making a significant contribution to their local economies. I am confident that the move to Longford due to take place later this year will be equally successful.

Decentralisation Costs

Expenditure	Sligo	Letterkenny	Longford	Total Expenditure To Date
	£	£	£	£
Cost of fitting out building	588,000	294,000	Nil to date	882,000
Cost of providing telecommunications links and equipment	444,000	323,000	Nil to date	767,000
*Ex gratia allowances	28,000	26,000	24,000	78,000
Travelling and subsistence	81,000	21,000	2,000	104,000
Overtime	300,000	65,000	Nil to date	365,000
Staff costs	700,000	400,000	Nil to date	1,100,000
Total	2,141,000	1,129,000	26,000	3,296,000

*In respect of training costs for regional staff in Dublin in preparation for decentralisation.

There are ongoing costs in relation to decentralisation of parts of my Department to Sligo and Letterkenny. These are estimated at £200,000 per annum.