The internal implementation team in my Department is co-operating actively with the decentralisation implementation group, the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works on the decentralisation programme announced in budget 2004. The Department's implementation team is committed to developing innovative approaches to information management, communications and logistics so as to maintain and improve the quality of service to be delivered under decentralised arrangements and to minimise disruption. A detailed implementation plan is being prepared, in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the decentralisation implementation group, covering all aspects of the decentralisation process for my Department. It is intended to finalise this plan by the end of May 2004. The team is also facilitating full and timely communication with staff of the Department on the progress of the decentralisation programme, through the Department's partnership committee and otherwise.
The Office of Public Works is responsible for the selection of suitable sites for Departments' offices and is currently consulting my Department on the property aspects of the decentralisation programme. The provision of high quality office accommodation will be a primary consideration in the selection of a property in all locations.
My Department considered that a survey of its staff would most valuably be undertaken when greater clarification on detailed arrangements was available following, inter alia, publication of the Flynn report on 31 March 2004. In accordance with the report’s recommendations, the Department of Finance is developing an integrated transfer system or central applications facility which will allow people to apply for transfer to decentralised locations and rank their preferences for different locations. This system will begin to be deployed in May 2004 and will enable my Department determine interest in transferring to its designated south eastern locations.
