Vol. 576 No. 6
240 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the staff or staff representatives in his Department or boards or agencies under the aegis of his Department which were consulted about 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. [30290/03]
There was extensive consultation with staff unions shortly after the original announcement in 1999 and the existing partnership structures within each Department or agency will now deal with any implementation related issues which are specific to that Department or agency. Any public service wide issues will be addressed under the auspices of the public service monitoring group provided for in Sustaining Progress.
241 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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, 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. [30305/03]
The selection process chosen by the Government and the criteria used when making decisions on decentralisation ranged over a wide scope, involving general consideration of the need to decentralise administrative responsibilities from Dublin without adversely affecting the level of service provided by central Government services.
242 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the functions or sections of his Department, 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. [30320/03]
The Government's decentralisation programme was announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on Wednesday, 3 December last. Details of the programme as they relate to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform were outlined in the budget summary, including the offices and agencies to be decentralised and the relevant locations.
The Minister for Finance is establishing a central implementation committee to drive forward the implementation of the programme. A departmental implementation committee, working with the central committee, will address the other issues raised by the Deputy.
243 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [30350/03]
There is no requirement for legislation for the decentralisation of sections of my Department.
