I am not sure whether it is appropriate to congratulate the Minister on his re-appointment.
Decentralisation Programme.
It means a lot to retain one's position, so I also congratulate him.
I do not intend to extol the virtues of Newcastle West as a location for decentralisation because on many occasions previously in the Dáil and in the Seanad I spoke on this issue. As recently as 21 May last I spoke on the issue and was responded to by the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, who was Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the time. I was pleased when on 3 December 2003 the Minister announced in the budget that Newcastle West was part of a cluster of locations in the mid-west region which embraced Kilrush and Listowel. It was decided at the time that each location would receive approximately 50 positions.
This demonstrated a responsible attitude to that location because there is a very successful Revenue base between Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh involving about 900 jobs which moved to the area between 1992 and 1996. The cluster effect is of great importance in these locations. It provides scope for promotional opportunities not alone at local level, but at regional level which would be an added attraction for people who decide to work in a decentralised project.
While I am not certain of the figures for Kilrush and Listowel, I understand that Newcastle West has been over-subscribed in terms of initial interest. While quite a few applicants have applied from Dublin locations, many of the applicants working in Departments in city locations are from the west Limerick area and are delighted by the prospect of being transferred to Newcastle West near their home base. Furthermore, in his response on 21 May the Minister indicated the OPW believed it would have no difficulty in purchasing a premises in Newcastle West and has purchased the premises formerly used by the county council. I understand the OPW has surveyed the location.
My question relates to the overall numbers who have applied for transfer to Newcastle West. Now that the premises has been purchased when does the Minister anticipate the relocation of people from Revenue in Dublin will take place? Is it envisaged that decentralisation to Newcastle West, Kilrush and Listowel will proceed at the same time or will it happen in a piecemeal fashion if, say, premises have been purchased in Newcastle West and the required number of applications for transfer there has been received? I am very interested in the Minister's answers to those questions.
I thank Senator Finucane for raising the issue. I will start by stating that the Government is firmly committed to the full implementation of the decentralisation programme and is very pleased with the progress which has been achieved over the past ten months.
However, a Government office cannot be relocated overnight. In order to do it correctly, the relocation of all or part of an organisation must be carefully planned and the new personnel must be in place before the physical move can take place. This is in addition to the procurement or construction of a suitable office premises.
Regarding applications for Newcastle West on the central applications facility, 50 staff from the Revenue Commissioners are scheduled to transfer to Newcastle West. Up to and including 7 September last, which was the closing date for priority applications, a total of 109 applications had been received on the CAF. All of the applications are from civil servants. Of the 109 applications, 81 are from people currently employed by the Revenue Commissioners.
The following is a brief analysis of the applications made for the positions advertised on the CAF. There are two applications from the assistant principal grade for one post advertised, three applications from the higher executive officer grade for three posts advertised, 32 applications from the executive officer grade for nine posts advertised, seven applications from the staff officer grade for three posts advertised, 49 applications from the clerical officer grade for 31 posts advertised and one application from a service officer against three posts advertised. In addition, there are 15 applications from people in grades other than those which are advertised on the CAF. Of the 109 applications, 102 were received from staff who are employed outside Dublin and the remaining seven are from people employed in Dublin.
On foot of the Government decision, the Commissioners of Public Works advertised for suitable sites or buildings in the town of Newcastle West. Seventeen options were evaluated and a site proposed by Limerick County Council, at Bishop Street, was selected as the most suitable location for the Revenue Commissioners. A contract for sale has been received from Limerick County Council solicitors and it is currently with the Chief State Solicitor for approval. When all the legal formalities have been completed, the process of procuring the development of a suitable office building on the site for the Revenue Commissioners will proceed.
The actual transfer will take place when a number of matters have been brought to a conclusion. These include the construction and fitting out a building on the site purchased and the moving, induction and training of the new staff who will transfer with the organisation.
The next significant step in the decentralisation process will be a report by the implementation group, which is chaired by Mr. Phil Flynn, later in the autumn to the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation. This will outline the group's views on sequencing and timing. The selection of organisations for inclusion in the first phase of moves will need to have particular regard to the figures emerging from the CAF and any relevant property and business aspects.
Judging by the rate of applications to the CAF and the fact that the site is currently being acquired, Newcastle West should be in the first phase of decentralisation. I would not like to pre-empt the implementation group. However, in terms of meeting the criteria things are looking very good for Newcastle West. I am glad to have been able to give the Senator some good news.
I thank the Minister for his reply.
The Seanad adjourned at 7.40 p.m. until10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 14 October 2004.