Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Decentralisation Programme.

Mr. Healy

I thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this issue which I raised on a number of occasions in the last Dáil.

It is time the Government made a decision on decentralisation. We have been promised decentralisation of Departments for a number of years. The Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, announced 18 months ago that there would be decentralisation of 10,000 jobs from the greater Dublin area. That decentralisation was to have taken place late last year or early this year. However, we must accept that a general election was pending and decentralisation was shelved. The Progressive Democrats were opposed to decentralisation, which may also have been a factor in its deferral. I certainly hope it is not currently a factor. In recent months we were informed that a decision would be taken by the Government at the first Cabinet meeting in September and that the decentralisation proposals would be put in train.

People in south Tipperary have been seeking decentralisation for a number of years. I was a member of a deputation to the current Taoiseach when he was Minister for Finance requesting decentralisation to the area. We were given an undertaking at the time that it would be included in the next round. However, that was seven years ago. I was also a member of a deputation to the current leader of the Labour Party when he was Minister for Finance when, again, we received confirmation that decentralisation would happen within a very short time.

In the meantime there has been a general election and two by-elections in south Tipperary in quick succession. During the course of the by-elections and general election every dog and devil, every Fianna Fáil councillor in the county was telling us decentralisation was around the corner and that the towns of Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary, in particular, would be looked after. These towns should be looked after because both of them have been included among a small number of towns surveyed and reported on as being significantly disadvantaged.

Tipperary is the second most disadvantaged town in the country in relation to the level of unemployment and lack of job creation. The unemployment rate is approximately 12%, three or four times the national average. In Carrick-on-Suir, a town with a population of 6,000, approximately 1,000 people are unemployed, a huge figure. Tipperary is the only town in the country which showed a decrease in population in the recent census. Each day a significant number of people drive to work in Limerick, Shannon, Cork and Thurles among other places. It is recognised that in the region of 90% of young people who leave Tipperary town for further education never return. It has also been shown that the level of white collar employment in the county is considerably lower than in all other counties in the south east.

I ask the Minister of State to announce the decentralisation programme and confirm that south Tipperary, in particular Tipperary town and Carrick-on-Suir, will be included.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Miss de Valera)

The Minister for Finance has asked me to stand in for him and apologises that he cannot be here.

During the course of the previous Dáil the issue of decentralisation was frequently raised. As I recall, it was a matter of particular concern to Deputy Healy but is of very keen interest to many Members of the House. I have always been an advocate of decentralisation and as one who has seen the benefits it has brought to my constituency as well as to those who have been decentralised, I am particularly pleased to have this opportunity to address the issue.

The Government's commitment to introducing a new programme of decentralisation is evident in the commitment made in An Agreed Programme for Government in which we undertook to move forward the progressive decentralisation of Government offices and agencies, taking into account the national spatial strategy aimed at ensuring all regions develop to their potential. It has been clear from the outset, something the Minister for Finance has reiterated in the House on many occasions recently in reply to parliamentary questions tabled by a number of Deputies, that there are a wide range of important issues which must be taken into consideration before arriving at a decision. I appreciate that a new programme of decentralisation will be a matter of great significance and trust the House will, therefore, appreciate the reason the Government is determined that a decision should be taken only after proper deliberation. As Deputies will be aware, there were few issues in the last Dáil that generated as much interest as a new programme of decentralisation and it appears it will be just as popular in this Dáil. Given its importance and the level of interest in the issue, it is unfortunate that the consideration of the many and varied issues involved has taken longer than the Minister originally anticipated.

Some 120 urban centres throughout every county in the country have expressed an interest in being part of the new programme, with each and every case receiving consideration. It has been necessary to consult widely with staff interests, departmental managements, etc. I share the Minister's concern that the deliberations which precede a major decision such as this should reflect the genuine concerns of all those who will be affected by a new and comprehensive programme, be they the staff concerned about their futures or departmental managements concerned about the delivery of the public services for which they have responsibility. The Government is particularly determined that any large-scale programme should do nothing to compromise the efficient delivery of public services. To that end, the Government invited the SMI implementation group to contribute its views as to the most efficient way to proceed. These views will be of considerable use and assistance in informing the Government's decision.

I know the Minister is conscious of the calls made upon him, and other members of the Government, to use the vehicle of decentralisation to address job losses in various parts of the country. Like many others, I appreciate the concerns of Deputies in this regard and know they will realise that the influences on a Government decision are many and varied. It is not as simple as listing off a series of qualifying criteria against which the merits of various towns can be measured.

The case for the inclusion of south Tipperary has been well articulated. A huge effort has gone into the preparation and presentation of a number of cases in respect of various towns throughout the country. The efforts of so many in this regard deserve appreciation and I pay tribute to all those concerned. Unfortunately, what the Minister cannot and will not do tonight is confirm that any one town or area will be included as a definitive part of a new programme. The Government is committed to developing a coherent and comprehensive programme. To make any announcement at this time would only serve to undermine this approach.

I thank the Deputy for raising this topical issue which is of great interest both inside and outside the House. I am pleased to have had this opportunity to restate the Government's position.