Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004

Wednesday, 24 March 2004

Questions (137)

Denis Naughten

Question:

137 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the sections of the Irish Prisons Service which are being decentralised to Longford town, in view of the fact that 175 jobs are promised to the town but there are only 130 staff currently working within the Irish Prisons Service headquarters; the planned reduction in the headquarters staff under the budget 2003 announcement of a reduction in public service numbers; the areas in which the differential will be made up to meet the committed 175 jobs for Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9253/04]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

In the context of the Government's decentralisation programme, it is proposed to decentralise up to 178 jobs currently assigned to various Dublin locations of the prison service. These include 130 staff of the prison service employed at its Clondalkin headquarters, together with other elements of prison management, including the buildings services and purchasing services, and a number of contract IT support staff. The prison service is currently considering the staffing reductions to be made to comply with the Government decision on reductions of staffing numbers of December 2002 to ensure that front-line services are not affected.