Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2004

Tuesday, 25 May 2004

Questions (109, 110)

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

126 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Flynn report recommended that the locations for staff in regard to decentralisation be decided prior to the launch of the central application form; if, in view of the fact that the CAF was launched on 12 May 2004, he will suspend the CAF process until such time as all civil servants have information to hand in order that they can make an informed decision. [15220/04]

Finian McGrath

Question:

129 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason staff are being excluded from the CAF by not being given the chance to express a first preference for the location to which their job is being decentralised as without this information it is not possible to make an informed decision regarding decentralisation; and the reason he is excluding a large number of civil servants and discriminating against them by allowing some civil servants an advantage over others in that they can plan for their move before their colleagues. [15512/04]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 129 together.

Public servants who apply to participate in the decentralisation programme under the central applications facility, CAF, can express a total of ten preferences. People who apply before 8 July will get preference over those who apply later. I am aware that ICT and health sector staff are awaiting announcements on locations for their work areas. Announcements on these will be made as soon as possible so that staff can apply for the locations for which ICT and health staff are destined.