Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

209 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Tullamore in regard to the move of his Department staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Tullamore to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if his Department staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Tullamore to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Tullamore. [31042/03]

John Bruton

Question:

210 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Athy in regard to the move of Revenue Commissioners staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Athy to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Revenue Commissioners' staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Athy to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Athy. [31043/03]

John Bruton

Question:

211 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Kilrush in regard to the move of Revenue Commissioners' staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Kilrush to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Revenue Commissioners' staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Kilrush to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Kilrush. [31044/03]

John Bruton

Question:

212 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Listowel in regard to the move of Revenue Commissioners' staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Listowel to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Revenue Commissioners' staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Listowel to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Listowel. [31045/03]

John Bruton

Question:

213 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Newcastle West in regard to the move of Revenue Commissioners' staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Newcastle West to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Revenue Commissioners' staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Newcastle West to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Newcastle West. [31046/03]

John Bruton

Question:

214 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Trim in regard to the move of the Office of Public Works headquarters; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Trim to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if the Office of Public Works headquarters will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Trim to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Trim. [31047/03]

John Bruton

Question:

215 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Kanturk in regard to the move of Office of Public Works staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Kanturk to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Office of Public Works staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Kanturk to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Kanturk. [31048/03]

John Bruton

Question:

216 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Claremorris in regard to the move of Office of Public Works staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Claremorris to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Office of Public Works staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Claremorris to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Claremorris. [31049/03]

John Bruton

Question:

217 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Youghal in regard to the move of Civil Service Commission staff; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Youghal to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Civil Service Commission staff will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Youghal to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Youghal. [31050/03]

John Bruton

Question:

218 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Dungarvan in regard to the move of the OSI; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Dungarvan to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if the OSI will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Dungarvan to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Dungarvan. [31051/03]

John Bruton

Question:

219 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Youghal in regard to the move of the Valuation Office; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Youghal to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if the Valuation Office will be maintaining a location in Dublin to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Youghal to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Youghal. [31052/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

226 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the number in respect of the sections of his Department or boards or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department, it is proposed to decentralise which are currently housed in leased office space or premises; the annual amount paid in rent in each case; when the lease runs out in each case; if there are financial penalties involved in the breaking of the lease in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 219, inclusive, and Question No. 226 together.

I have established an implementation committee to oversee the new decentralisation programme announced in the budget, involving 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. The chair of the committee will report to a special Cabinet sub-committee.

In addition, a joint Department of Finance-OPW unit is being established to support the implementation committee and to liaise with Departments. Furthermore, 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 will be 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 a plan by the Office of Public Works by 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-wide issues will be addressed under the auspices of the public service monitoring group provided for in Sustaining Progress.

The following table 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 by the Deputies relates, therefore, to matters which will only be determined through those structures in due course.

Organisation-Agency	Location	Approx.Numbers
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	200
Valuation Office	Youghal	100

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

220 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) can transfer to the public service in order to be transferred from one location to another in view of the recent decentralisation announcement. [31200/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The overall issue of inter-organisational transfers, both for those volunteering to participate in the decentralisation programme and for those who do not wish to participate, is one which the implementation committee I have appointed will be asked to address in preparing the implementation plan. It is also an issue that will be discussed with the relevant unions or staff associations.

Enda Kenny

Question:

221 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if it is expected that Secretaries General and higher levels of the Civil Service will have to live in the locations to which full Departments of State are to be decentralised; if not, the travel arrangements that are to apply for such personnel; the frequency of travel in respect of which remuneration will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31204/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

Offices in the locations to which Departments are decentralised would become the headquarters for staff working in those offices. The regulations governing the payment of travel and subsistence expenses in the Civil Service specifically provide that travelling expenses are not payable in respect of any portion of a journey which covers all or part of an officer's usual route between home and headquarters. The impact of this provision is that if an official opts to remain living in Dublin after his or her post has been decentralised, while continuing to work in the post, he or she will not be able to avail of travel and subsistence payments for travel to and from work

Question No. 222 answered with Question No. 198.

Enda Kenny

Question:

223 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to provide a one stop shop for information for the public in each county under his decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31206/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

As I announced on 3 December 2003, I have set up an implementation committee, the responsibility of which will be to drive forward the implementation of the decentralisation programme. The chair of the committee, Mr. Phil Flynn, will report directly to the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation. One of the issues which the committee will address as part of its overall work on an implementation plan will be that of a communications strategy to keep both staff and local communities involved and updated on the progress of the decentralisation programme. The implementation committee will report to the Government on its implementation plan by the end of March 2004.

Enda Kenny

Question:

224 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the assessment obtained by him that indicated that the decentralisation programme will result in a more efficient public and consumer friendly service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31207/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I originally announced the Government's intention to proceed with a new more radical programme of decentralisation in my budget 2000 speech in December 1999. Following that announcement, there was extensive consultation with interested parties including: meetings at official level between the Department of Finance and other Departments and with each of the Civil Service staff unions; a meeting between myself and the staff unions generally to hear the latter's views and concerns; the strategic management initiative implementation group of Secretaries General provided advice, at the request of the Government, on how implementation of the new programme could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service; heads of relevant Departments provided views, at the request of the Government, on the experience of their respective Departments with the previous programme of decentralisation; and one major public service union provided advice, in response to an invitation from myself, on the development of criteria for the programme.

Having assessed all of the above material, I am satisfied that the implementation of the decentralisation programme will result in a more efficient and consumer friendly service.