Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

122 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the staff or staff representatives in his Department or boards or agencies under the aegis of his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [30282/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

123 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food 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 his Department, or boards, or agencies under the aegis of his Department; the other locations that were considered; the criteria which were used to evaluate different possible locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30297/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

124 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the functions or sections of his Department, or boards or agencies under the aegis of his 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30312/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

125 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the legislation required to allow for decentralisation of any section of his Department; the section involved; the legislation which must be amended; the timetable for the publication of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30342/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 to 125, inclusive, together.

Full details of the Government's decision on the decentralisation of 10,300 staff from Departments and the Office of Public Works were outlined by the Minister for Finance in the Budget Statement. This decision includes plans to decentralise 400 staff from the headquarters of my Department to Portlaoise, 85 staff from An Bord Bia and An Bord Glas to Enniscorthy and 100 staff from Teagasc to Carlow. In addition 70 staff from Cork city will be relocated to Macroom.

My Department is already substantially decentralised as outlined in the following table:

County	Total Staff
Carlow	60
Cavan	283
Clare	99
Cork	339
Donegal	125
Dublin	1,175
Galway	171
Kerry	119
Kildare	291
Kilkenny	106
Laois	245
Leitrim	47
Limerick	124
Longford	55
Louth	39
Mayo	249
Meath	108
Monaghan	100
Offaly	72
Roscommon	119
Sligo	103
Tipperary	189
Waterford	94
Westmeath	91
Wexford	388
Wicklow	18
Total	4,809

My Department has already decentralised a number of its staff to Castlebar, Cavan, Portlaoise, Johnstown Castle and Maynooth.

The detailed arrangements for decentralising the staff concerned will be addressed by my Department and the relevant agencies over the coming months. There will be full consultation with staff and their representatives on all aspects of the decentralisation. A detailed examination of the accommodation requirements will be carried out in consultation with the Office of Public Works.

I do not anticipate that there will be significant changes necessary in legislation but this aspect will also be the subject of analysis by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.