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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Questions (154, 155, 156, 157)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

247 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out a risk assessment of the decentralisation plans announced by him on budget day, insofar 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. [6006/04]

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Written answers

I have appointed an implementation committee to prepare and submit an overall implementation plan on decentralisation by the end of March 2004. More detailed planning for decentralisation, which will include risk assessment for the Department of Finance and the bodies under its aegis, will commence on receipt of the overall implementation plan.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

248 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance 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. [6021/04]

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The Department of Finance does not have any decentralised offices at present.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

249 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff within his Department who have to date volunteered for the programme of decentralisation announced by him 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. [6036/04]

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I have appointed an implementation committee to prepare and submit an overall implementation plan on decentralisation by the end of March 2004. It was decided not to conduct a survey of the staff of the Department on decentralisation as, until the implementation plan is completed, they will not have the information they need to assist them in making an informed decision on the matter. When the implementation plan is completed research will be commenced among Department staff as to their interest in decentralising to Tullamore and other locations.

A number of expressions of interest have been received from staff of my Department and from other Departments, in relation to decentralisation and those have been noted, but will not be processed further pending receipt of the implementation plan.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

250 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out a cumulative risk assessment on the decentralisation plan which he announced on budget day; when he expects to receive such a cumulative risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6055/04]

View answer

I announced the decision to introduce a major decentralisation programme in December 1999. Since then my Department has received numerous representations, submissions and advices on the programme. In the context of budget 2004, taking account of these, the Government decided to decentralise over 10,000 civil and public servants.

We are now in the implementation stage and I have established an implementation committee to drive this forward. I am awaiting the report of the committee which I expect to receive by the end of March. Following this each Department will be required to develop a detailed plan for its own element of the programme. I have no doubt that the question of risk assessment and risk mitigation, covering such aspects as business continuity, financial and logistical issues will be addressed in the detailed planning exercise.

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