My Department currently has decentralised offices in Sligo, Letterkenny, Longford, Waterford and Dundalk. Some 319 staff responsible for the delivery of pension services were relocated from Dublin to Sligo in 1989. The number of staff serving in this office has now risen to 552 due to scheme changes and additional workload over the period. Of the original 319 staff involved, 31.6% were relocated from other areas of this department, 32.3% were redeployed from other Departments and 36.1% were recruited directly.
In 1990-91 my Department decentralised its child benefit and treatment benefit office to Letterkenny. At that time a total of 176 staff were relocated. Due to increased claim loads the number of serving staff has risen to 190. Of the original 176 staff, 36.3% were relocated from within the Department, 23.9% were redeployed from other Departments and 39.8% were recruited directly.
In 1993-94 my Department decentralised long-term illness schemes and other miscellaneous services to Longford. At that time a total of 178 staff were relocated. With an increased claim load there are currently 283 staff serving in this office. Of the original 178 staff who initially moved to this location, 52% were relocated from within the Department, 41% were redeployed from other Departments and 7% were recruited directly.
In 1995 my Department decentralised part of its client data services to Waterford. At that time a total of 28 staff were relocated. Of these 68% were relocated from within the Department and 32% were redeployed from other Departments.
In 2002 my Department decentralised its accounts branch to Dundalk. A total of 95 staff was relocated. Of these, 38% were relocated from within the Department, 47% were redeployed from other Departments and 15% were recruited directly.
The number of job and people changes required to achieve decentralisation was significant in respect of each location. At a minimum, the filling of posts required two such changes and in some instances a higher number of changes were required.
The additional costs to the Department arising in the context of decentralisation consists mainly of building fit-out costs, telecommunication equipment and staff related costs including training, overtime and travel and subsistence. The approximate total costs in the case of the locations above were as follows:
Location
|
Cost
|
|
(million)
|
Sligo
|
£2.14
|
Letterkenny
|
£1.13
|
Longford
|
£1.13
|
Waterford
|
£0.04
|
Dundalk
|
€1.73
|