Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

136 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance 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. [30283/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

There was extensive consultation with staff unions shortly after the original announcement in 1999 and the existing partnership structures within each Department and agency will now deal with any implementation related issues which are specific to that Department or agency. Any public service issues will be addressed under the auspices of the Public Service Monitoring group provided for in the Sustaining Progress.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

137 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance 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. [30298/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

Since my original announcement in December 1999, my Department has received submissions, representations and inquiries on behalf of more than 130 centres throughout the country seeking to be included in the new programme. The Government took account of a wide range of factors in selecting suitable locations for the new decentralised offices. I refer the Deputy to page B.25 of the summary of 2004 budget measures which describes the main factors taken into account and balanced against each other by the Government in selecting locations for decentralised offices.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

138 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance 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. [30313/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

140 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance 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. [30343/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 140 together.

I have established an implementation committee to oversee the decentralisation programme announced in the budget. Decentralisation will involve the reallocation of over 10,000 public service jobs to 53 provincial centres throughout 25 counties. It will be the responsibility of the committee to drive forward the implementation of the programme. Its chairman will report to a special Cabinet sub-committee. In addition a joint Department of Finance-OPW unit will be established to support the implementation committee and to liaise with Departments. Each Minister will establish a decentralisation unit in his or her Department which will report to the management advisory committee and the Minister. Each Department will report on a regular basis to the special Cabinet sub-committee.

The overall objective is to ensure that property being acquired at regional level is matched as closely as possible, both in time and in cost terms, by disposal of property currently held in the Dublin region, whether held on lease or otherwise. The implementation committee will oversee the production of an Office of Public Works plan March 2004 to give effect to this objective. An extra allocation of €20 million capital is being included in the Department of Finance Vote for 2004 to meet any up-front capital investment that may be required.

The programme will be implemented on a voluntary basis. There will be no redundancies and, as on previous occasions, the payment of removal or relocation expenses will not arise. The existing partnership structures within each Department or agency will deal with any implementation related issues which are specific to that Department or agency. Any public service issues will be addressed under the auspices of the public service monitoring group provided for in Sustaining Progress.

The table below lists the organisations or agencies under my Department where staff are being decentralised, together with the locations and the approximate numbers of staff being decentralised in each case. The appropriate structures outlined above are being established in respect of my Department and the agencies under my Department. The further information requested relates, therefore, to matters which will only be determined through those structures in due course.

Organisation/Agency	Location	Approx.Nos.
Department of Finance Staff	Tullamore	130
Department of Finance IT	To be decided	20
Revenue Staff	Athy	250
Revenue Staff	Kilrush	50
Revenue Staff	Listowel	50
Revenue Staff	Newcastle West	50
Revenue IT	To be decided	500
OPW HQ	Trim	275
OPW staff	Kanturk	100
OPW staff	Claremorris	150
Civil Service Commission Staff	Youghal	100
OSI	Dungarvan	300
Valuation Office	Youghal	100
Total		2,075

No legislative changes required to enable divisions or sections of the Department of Finance to decentralise.