Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

98 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the staff or staff representatives in her Department or boards or agencies under the aegis of her Department, which had been consulted in regard to the proposals on decentralisation set out in the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30280/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

99 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the selection process used to decide on each such location in respect of each location identified in Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the proposed programme of decentralisation set out in the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance, in respect of her Department, or boards, or agencies under the aegis of her Department; the other locations that were considered; the criteria which were used to evaluate different possible locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30295/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

100 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the functions or sections of her Department, or boards or agencies under the aegis of her Department, it is proposed to decentralise in respect of each location identified in Phase 1,2 and 3 of the proposed programme of decentralisation set out in the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance; the grades and numbers of staff who will be transferred; the estimated total payroll costs of those staff; the size of the office space that will be required for their accommodation; the inquiries which have been made to date regarding availability of office space at each such location; the estimated cost of such office space; the estimated total costs of the decentralisation programme. [30310/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 100, inclusive, together.

The Government decision provides that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will decentralise 250 staff to Carlow town. A further 800 staff, located in departmental agencies/offices such FÁS, NSAI, HSA and Enterprise Ireland will also decentralise to Birr, Arklow, Thomastown and Shannon respectively. The selection process and criteria used to decide on locations was a matter for Government.

Specific details regarding the sections of the Department to transfer to Carlow have not been finalised yet though the Companies Registration Office will be one of the offices included. Management in the Department initiated discussion with staff representatives at the earliest available opportunity regarding the decentralisation proposals. It is the intention to continue this process of consultation throughout the implementation phase.

A departmental decentralisation project group has also been established to advise me on the most appropriate areas within the Department which, along with the Companies Registration Office, could be decentralised to Carlow in accordance with the Government decision on the matter. The table below gives a breakdown by location and numbers of the offices-agencies under my Department where staff are being decentralised. The number of staff by grade has not been finalised yet.

Office/Agency	Location	Numberof staff
Department staff	Carlow	250
FÁS	Birr	250
Health and Safety Authority	Thomastown	110
National Standards Authority of Ireland	Arklow	140
Enterprise Ireland	Shannon	300
Total		1,050

With regard to the above proposals under the decentralisation programme, there is no information available yet on the size of the office accommodation required, the cost of such accommodation or the overall costs involved.