Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2004

Tuesday, 1 June 2004

Questions (145, 146, 147, 148)

David Stanton

Question:

164 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of posts decentralised in the Department of Department of Education and Science to Athlone; if he will state in each case the number of the posts that were filled on promotion and the number that were filled by staff maintaining their current grade; the total number of those who decentralised in his Department, the number of those who were already serving staff in the decentralised Department and the number of those in each case who were transferred from other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16549/04]

David Stanton

Question:

207 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of posts decentralised to Athlone by his Department; the number of the posts that were filled on promotion; the number of posts that were filled by staff maintaining their current grade; the number of posts that were filled internally by serving members of the Department; the number of posts that were filled from outside his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16474/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 207 together.

My Department has approximately 335 staff in Athlone following previous decentralisations which took place since 1977. Some of those staff would have decentralised from the Dublin offices of my Department or from other Departments, some would have been promoted and some would have been recruited to Athlone. My Department does not keep personnel statistics in a format which would indicate the number of staff in each of these categories.

David Stanton

Question:

165 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in relation to decentralisation of the Department of Education and Science, he will give details of the period of time which elapsed between the initial announcement of decentralisation plans; and the date on which decentralisation was completed. [16550/04]

David Stanton

Question:

208 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the period of time which elapsed between the initial announcement of decentralisation plans for his Department and the date on which decentralisation to Athlone was completed. [16475/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 208 together.

The initial decision to proceed with the first phase of the decentralisation of my Department to Athlone was made in November 1967. This phase was completed in August 1977. A further decision was made in November 1980 to proceed with a second phase of decentralisation and this was completed in September 1991.