Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (147, 148, 149)

John Bruton

Question:

140 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has had a risk assessment carried out on possible consequential risks to the effectiveness of services provided by each Department or agency under his aegis which is to relocate under the Government’s decentralisation programme; if not, the reason therefor; and if so, if the risk assessment will be published, furnished to the Comptroller and Auditor General and accessible under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. [16847/04]

John Bruton

Question:

143 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that the annual report of his Department will contain a risk assessment of decentralisation, as it affects his Department or agencies under its aegis, dealing with strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks as set out in paragraph 6.31 of the Mullarkey report. [16892/04]

John Bruton

Question:

149 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if the Secretary General of his Department has tendered advice to him in pursuance of his personal responsibility as Secretary General under public financial procedures for economy and efficiency in the administration of his Department on the impact in the short or long term on the economy and the efficiency of administration of his Department or its agencies arising from the Government’s proposals for decentralisation. [16965/04]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 143 and 149 together.

Following from the recommendations contained in the first report of the decentralisation implementation group, each Department and agency has been asked to draw up initial implementation plans. These plans will address, among other issues, the risks associated with decentralisation and the means of mitigating those risks. The plans are being prepared both within my Department and by the agencies operating under its aegis and when completed, all of the material will be sent, through the Department of Finance, to the decentralisation implementation group.

My Department's annual report for 2003 is being drafted. It is not proposed to include an analysis of, or material on decentralisation in the 2003 annual report. It is intended that these matters will be addressed in reports for subsequent years as the programme of decentralisation is implemented.

My Department has set up a decentralisation group which will report regularly to the Secretary General and the management advisory committee of my Department on all issues relating to decentralisation, including issues relating to the business impact of the programme and the potential for rationalising existing business processes within my Department. Any matters arising from the work of this group will be brought to my attention on an ongoing basis.