Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004
358 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [19090/04]
View answer359 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [19105/04]
View answer360 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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 and travel and subsistence incurred. [19120/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 to 360, inclusive, together.
The agencies and organisations under the aegis of my Department selected for decentralisation have prepared and submitted implementation plans to the implementation group appointed by my colleague the Minister for Finance. The plans incorporate specific risk assessments in the case of each agency due to decentralise and examines the best ways of ensuring maximum effectiveness of services. The last decentralisation of my Department was completed in 2002 when the Legal Aid Board relocated to Caherciveen, County Kerry. The decision to decentralise to Caherciveen was announced in July 1999, following the completion of an impact assessment report. An interim office was opened in July 2001, the board's new offices were occupied in January 2002 and the final transfer of staff took place in February 2002. Thirty nine staff were decentralised to Caherciveen. There are also three dual location posts where staff divide their time between the Dublin and Caherciveen offices. Of the 39 staff in Caherciveen one was an existing staff member who opted to decentralise; four transferred from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and 22 transferred from other Departments. The final 12 posts were filled by recruitment via the Civil Service Commission.
It is not possible to provide accurate information on the amount of time necessary to train decentralising persons as the amount of training time varied considerably, depending on the level of expertise and prior work experience of the individuals involved and no specific records were maintained in this regard. It is also not possible to give an overall figure on the percentage and duration of overlapping staff which was required as this varied greatly and in many instances depended on the work requirements of the Legal Aid Board and the other Departments involved.
Detailed cost breakdowns for the business units which decentralised are not available in the format sought. However, the following table shows total salary, overtime and travel costs for the board's headquarters for the years in question. Staffing numbers increased from 44 to 53 from 2001, as recommended in the impact assessment report.
|
Year |
Salary |
Overtime |
Travel Expenses |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
1999 |
1,112,939 |
35,099 |
25,933 |
|
2000 |
1,098,533 |
41,584 |
20,605 |
|
2001 |
1,942,008 |
27,437 |
138,132 |
|
2002 |
2,114,654 |
31,156 |
102,083 |
|
2003 |
2,068,011 |
4,431 |
59,103 |
