Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Ivan Yates

Question:

247 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will review the procedure whereby none of the officials working in his Department are being considered for a lateral transfer to the Department of Agriculture and Food in the decentralisation programme to Johnstown Castle in County Wexford; and if he will consider this position in view of the very small numbers seeking a localised transfer and, in particular, if the applicant has specialist previous experience with the Department of Agriculture and Food. [5120/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Over 90 applications from my Department's staff in locations outside Wexford town, including locations in County Wexford — Gorey and Ennniscorthy — have been sent to the Department of Agriculture and Food for consideration for transfer with that Department's decentralisation to Johnstown Castle. However, applications received from eight officers already based in Wexford town have not been forwarded for consideration.

It has been the general policy under the Decentralisation Programme not to consider applications from staff who are already serving in the location selected for decentralisation as the objective of the programme is the voluntary relocation of civil servants into selected provincial locations.