Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Denis Naughten

Question:

923 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the total number of civil servants who are currently on the transfer list to other sections of Departments outside Dublin; the locations and numbers involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1993/01]

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

The transfer arrangements in respect of civil servants in the clerical grades who wish to move from Dublin to provincial locations are provided for by way of a central agreement between the Department of Finance and the staff union concerned. A formal arrangement was drawn up during 2000 in respect of civil servants in the grade of staff officer who wish to move from one location to another. Details of the numbers of the clerical officers and staff officers who have applied to my Department for transfer to locations outside of Dublin are furnished in the attached tabular statement.

These transfer lists are updated only whenever vacancies in the grade arise to be filled in the location concerned. Accordingly, the numbers of clerical officers on the transfer lists for some locations may not reflect the numbers of staff at present who would be available for relocation if this were to be offered. Furthermore, quite frequently, a person applying for transfer would indicate interest in several locations in the county or general region. There are no formal transfer arrangements in place for other general service grades. Where staff in these grades indicate interest in relocating, they are accommodated whenever possible.

County	Location	Total No. onTransfer List	ClericalOfficers:	StaffOfficers:
Carlow	Carlow	132	1
Cavan	Cavan	183	3
Clare	Ennis	310	2
Cork	Bantry	68	1
	Cobh	57	1
	Cork	56	2
	Mallow	110	1
Donegal	Buncrana	95	1
	DonegalTown	99	1
	Dungloe	133	1
	Dunfanaghy	186	1
	Letterkenny	148	1
Galway	Clifden	174	0
	Galway	581	0
	Ballinasloe	52	0
Kerry	Cahirciveen	56	2
	Kenmare	19	2
	Killarney	64	2
	Listowel	127	3
	Tralee	228	3
County	Location	Total No. onTransfer List	ClericalOfficers:	StaffOfficers:
Kildare	Newbridge	206	1
Kilkenny	Kilkenny	98	2
Laois	Portlaoise	165	2
Leitrim	Carrick-on-Shannon	215	3
	Manorhamilton	85	1
Limerick	Limerick	84	2
	Newcastle West	139	1
Longford	Longford	128	3
Louth	Drogheda	145	5
	Dundalk	64	2
Meath	Navan	196	5
Mayo	Achill	178	2
	Ballina	353	6
	Belmullet	184	2
	Castlebar	285	7
	Westport	230	5
Monaghan	Monaghan Town	31	0
Offaly	Tullamore	140	2
Sligo	Sligo	160	5
Tipperary	Clonmel	180	2
	Nenagh	102	2
	Thurles	248	2
Waterford	Waterford	18	0
Westmeath	Athlone	416	1
	Mullingar	223	1
Wexford	Enniscorthy	37	0
	Wexford	25	0
Wicklow	Arklow	104	0

Under social welfare legislation decisions in relation to claims must be made by deciding officers and appeals officers. These officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.

Question No. 924 answered with Question No. 896.