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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Questions (397, 398, 399)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

498 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [6014/04]

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Written answers

The Minister for Finance has appointed an implementation group to prepare and submit an overall implementation plan on decentralisation by end March 2004.

Pending this, my Department has not carried out a formal risk assessment of the decentralisation plans to date. However, it would be the intention to implement the decentralisation arrangements in such a way as to minimise impact on and disruption to the Department's operations.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

499 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [6029/04]

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My Department has participated in two previous decentralisation programmes. In 1983, the vehicle registration unit decentralised to Shannon, while under a later decentralisation programme in 1989, a number of sections moved to Ballina. There are currently 79 staff employed in Shannon and 89 in Ballina.

The additional information sought is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

500 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [6044/04]

View answer

My Department has not yet conducted a survey to determine the number of staff who wish to volunteer for the programme of decentralisation. The Department considers that such a survey will most valuably be undertaken when greater clarification on detailed arrangements is available following, inter alia, the report of the decentralisation implementation group.

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