Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
189 Mr. Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if his Department has carried out a risk assessment of the decentralisation plans announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day, in so far as they may impact either directly or indirectly on his Department, or an agency or body operating under the aegis of his Department; when he expects to receive the risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6002/04]
View answerThere are no plans to decentralise any part of my Department, therefore the question of a risk assessment does not arise.
190 Mr. Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the locations to which any part of his Department has already been decentralised; the years in which each such decentralisation took place; the total number of staff who are now employed by his Department in each such location; the number of such staff who were relocated from within his Department; the number of such staff who were transferred from other Departments; the number of such staff who were directly recruited; the total number of job changes and people changes which were required to achieve the decentralisation; the cost of the decentralisation to each such location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6017/04]
View answerNo parts of the Department of the Taoiseach have been decentralised.
191 Mr. Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the number of staff within his Department who have to date volunteered for the programme of decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day; the grades of the staff concerned; the locations for which they have volunteered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/04]
View answerThe exact procedures which will apply in the relocation of staff in the decentralisation programme are being dealt with as part of the implementation process. This is being driven by the implementation committee and will be discussed with the public service unions.
Pending clarification of those procedures, my Department has not carried out any survey to ascertain the number of staff who are interested in relocating from Dublin under the decentralisation programme.
Where members of staff, on their own initiative, ask to be considered for relocation, this is noted and will be taken into account when the process of formally ascertaining staff interest in relocation commences.
So far, 17 members of staff from the clerical officer, staff officer, executive officer, administrative officer and higher executive officer grades have taken the initiative of alerting the Department to their interest in participating in the decentralisation programmes in a wide range of locations in 15 different counties. This number is likely to change significantly when the procedures are clarified.
