Jim O'Keeffe
Question:92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on decentralisation of sections of his Department. [13562/98]
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
Decentralisation has been a major policy objective of Governments for many years. My Department is heavily decentralised and has played a central role in achieving this objective through major decentralisations in Castlebar, Cavan and Portlaoise and by the operation of services through a nationwide network of local offices and laboratories. A programme of decentralisation to Johnstown Castle will be implemented in the period ahead.
It is clear that the influx of a big employer to a rural area contributes to the income and economic development of the surrounding areas and helps to maintain the fabric of rural society and its environment. These very beneficial economic and social influences are in keeping with the policy of rural development operated by my Department.
These long-term effects must be weighed against the short-term disruption to efficiency and personnel caused by the transfer of experienced personnel from head office to other Departments and by the internal transfer of similar numbers of personnel to areas not decentralising. It is critical to avoid major disruption to operations, potential financial disallowances by the EU due to either delays or inaccurate payments, the undermining of accreditation status and reduced staff motivation.
To attempt to limit our exposure, my Department has planned the transfer of areas to Johnstown Castle in four phases in order to allow sufficient time for overlap and training on the complex and financially critical schemes being decentralised.