Vol. 515 No. 3
174 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to accommodate persons on transfer lists within the Civil Service to places which have not been favoured with decentralisation; if provision will be made for these people who cannot transfer to a Department or semi-State body in the absence of decentralisation to transfer to an area of their choice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6030/00]
A transfer scheme exists within the Civil Service under which clerical officers may apply for transfer to any provincial location where there is a civil service office with even one position in the grade. Applicants are listed by date of receipt of the application in the Department-office to which the transfer is sought. Discussions have also been taking place with the staff side regarding the possibility of extending the scheme to include the staff officer grade. While there is no formal scheme for executive officers and higher grades, officers may apply to Departments for consideration for any opening for their grade that may arise in a provincial office. My responsibility for transfer arrangements, as Minister for Finance, relates solely to the Civil Service and would, therefore, not encompass assignments of staff to semi-State bodies.
