Vol. 577 No. 3
566 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has consulted with the boards or management or staff of the agencies under the aegis of his Department in regard to proposals to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30958/03]
Following initial contacts with the agencies under the aegis of my Department in regard to decentralisation, consultations will take place over the coming period, within the framework of arrangements to be established by the central implementation group.
567 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Knock Airport in regard to the move of his Department headquarters; the square footage of the office in which those staff are 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 Knock Airport 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 headquarters will be maintaining a location in Dublin in order 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 Knock Airport 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 Knock Airport. [31032/03]
569 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Gweedore in regard to the move of Foras na Gaeilge; the square footage of the office in which those staff are 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 Gweedore 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 Foras na Gaeilge 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 Gweedore 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 Gweedore. [31034/03]
571 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 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. [31305/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 567, 569 and 571 together.
The general position in respect of decentralisation was set out in the Minister for Finance's Budget Statement of 3 December 2003. Matters relating to staffing will be addressed over the coming period within the context of the work of the central implementation group established to oversee the decentralisation process. Full consultation with staff interests will take place within that framework. The Deputies will appreciate that primary responsibility regarding issues relating to office accommodation rests with the Office of Public Works.
568 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Clifden in regard to the move of the Area Development Management; the square footage of the office in which those staff are 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 Clifden 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 ADM 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 Clifden 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 Clifden. [31033/03]
I refer the Deputy to the information relating to decentralisation contained in the Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance on 3 December last. Detailed arrangements relating to decentralisation remain to be worked out over the coming period.
Question No. 569 answered with Question No. 567.
