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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004

Tuesday, 29 June 2004

Questions (108, 109, 110)

Richard Bruton

Question:

106 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the risk analysis and the cost benefit analysis which he has carried out or proposes to carry out in respect of decentralisation as it affects his Department. [19082/04]

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Written answers

My Department established an implementation committee which is headed by an assistant secretary to oversee all aspects of the decentralisation programme. This committee has commenced the process of identifying and categorising the risks associated with decentralisation. The main risks are expected to come under the headings of service delivery, financial, human resources and accommodation. Proposals to deal with identified risks will be submitted to the Department's risk management committee and the audit committee. This process will be carried out in accordance with established procedures for risk management in the Department.

Richard Bruton

Question:

107 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average annual increase in salary costs, overtime and travel to, from and in the decentralised offices in the three years following decentralisation compared to these costs for those business units in the three years preceding decentralisation, in respect of the last decentralisation by his Department. [19097/04]

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The 1998 decentralisation of part of my Department to Johnstown Castle, Wexford, did not result in any increase in average annual salary costs or overtime. Expenses are paid in respect of travel to and from Johnstown Castle. However, the information is not recorded in the format required by the Deputy and would not be easily calculated.

Richard Bruton

Question:

108 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of persons decentralised and the full duration of the project, in respect of the last decentralisation by his Department; the number of internal and external transfers which were required to obtain the requisite number of persons decentralising; the amount of time necessary to train decentralising persons and the percentage and duration of overlapping staff which was required; and the additional costs for overtime, travel and subsistence incurred. [19112/04]

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The last decentralisation by my Department took place in 1998 to Johnstown Castle, Wexford. To obtain the requisite number of persons decentralising 51 officers were relocated, 119 officers were transferred in from other Departments and 123 officers were directly recruited. As is normal practice, a general induction course was provided for all staff commencing with my Department and on the job training was given to all staff. The training provided varied from grade to grade and post to post but, on average, a month of on the job training and overlap was provided. No additional overtime costs were incurred and a separate figure for travel and subsistence is not readily available.

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