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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004

Tuesday, 29 June 2004

Questions (250, 251, 252, 253)

Richard Bruton

Question:

248 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources 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. [19086/04]

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Written answers

My Department has prepared an initial decentralisation plan which encompasses risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity. The plan sets out a number of strategies and actions which are being progressed in light of developments at the centre. As part of the plan, a costing exercise is being undertaken.

Richard Bruton

Question:

249 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources 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. [19101/04]

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Richard Bruton

Question:

250 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources 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. [19116/04]

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I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.

The last decentralisation of a business unit for which I have responsibility was the transfer of my Department's accounts branch to Castlebar, County Mayo. In 1976, approximately 50 staff in the accounts branch of the then forest and wildlife service were decentralised to Castlebar. As a result of departmental reconfigurations over time, the accounts branch of my Department based in Castlebar today consists of 18 staff. Given the number of years that have elapsed, the extent of reconfiguration of departmental boundaries since this decentralisation and the consequent relocation of records, my Department is not in a position to source the specific information requested by the Deputy in respect of the Castlebar decentralisation.

Richard Bruton

Question:

251 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon; if his attention has been drawn to the statement by SIPTU indicating the deep dissatisfaction of the staff who are proposed for decentralisation and the attendant risk of industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19140/04]

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The proposal to relocate the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon is being pursued as part of the Government's wider decentralisation programme and, as such, will be undertaken in accordance with the proposals of the decentralisation implementation group's report.

While I am aware of ongoing discussions regarding the decentralisation programme between the Irish Congress of Trade Unions State agencies sub-group and the Department of Finance, I am not a party to those discussions. I am also aware of the continuing policy adopted by SIPTU confirmed, I understand, at its recent meeting with shop stewards advising members not to co-operate in any way with implementation mechanisms, plans, etc., but also expressing the earnest wish to resolve the matter through dialogue and discussion. I sincerely hope that these issues can be resolved through collaborative discussion at national and local level.

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