Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
194 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have applied to be decentralised to Thurles, County Tipperary; if Thurles will be included in the first round of decentralisation; the estimated time elapsed for completion of the programme to Thurles; if a location has been found and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30717/04]
View answerAs part of the Government's decentralisation programme, part of Garda headquarters will decentralise to Thurles, County Tipperary.
Based on the decentralisation central applications facility, CAF, data of 7 September 2004, 151 civil servants together with five other public servants have nominated Thurles as their first preference. In addition, I understand from the Garda authorities that 19 sergeants and 104 gardaí have submitted expressions of interest to transfer to Thurles. As the Deputy is aware, the CAF remains open for the receipt of applications until such time as the decentralisation programme has been implemented in full.
The decentralisation implementation group report, outlining sequencing and timing of decentralisation moves, published yesterday, did not identify Thurles in the first phase of moves. A revised implementation plan will be submitted by the Garda Commissioner to the decentralisation implementation group by 14 February 2005.
The selection process with regard to property solutions to fulfil the accommodation brief for the staff decentralising to Thurles is currently nearing completion. A number of sites have been short-listed and the process of evaluation of these sites by the Office of Public Works is at an advanced stage. When this process is completed, formal negotiations will commence with the respective owners of these sites.
195 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have applied to be decentralised to Roscrea, County Tipperary; if Roscrea will be included in the first round of decentralisation; the estimated time elapsed for completion of the programme to Roscrea; if a location has been found and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30718/04]
View answerAs part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the Equality Authority and the Garda Síochána Complaints Board will decentralise to Roscrea, County Tipperary.
Based on the decentralisation central applications facility, CAF, data of 7 September 2004, 57 civil servants together with five other public servants have nominated Roscrea as their first preference. As the Deputy is aware, the CAF remains open for the receipt of applications until such time as the decentralisation programme has been implemented in full.
The decentralisation implementation group report, outlining sequencing and timing of decentralisation moves, published yesterday, did not identify Roscrea in the first phase of moves. A further report, dealing with all locations not included in the current one, is expected to be completed in spring 2005. It is not possible at this time to estimate a date for completion of the programme to Roscrea. In the meantime, implementation plans for all organisations within the Department that are decentralising will be kept under review.
The selection process with regard to property solutions to fulfil the accommodation brief for the staff decentralising to Roscrea is currently nearing completion. A number of sites have been short-listed and the process of evaluation of these sites by the Office of Public Works is at an advanced stage. When this process is completed, formal negotiations will commence with the respective owners of these sites.
