Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
149 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding decentralisation for Athy, County Kildare; the position regarding land or property acquisition for the provision of facilities for his Department; the number of staff who have indicated an interest in the Athy option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/04]
View answerThe report from the decentralisation implementation group dated 19 November 2004 did not include Athy, County Kildare, as a location in the first phase of moves. A further report will issue from the group in spring 2005 dealing with all remaining locations, including Athy. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Office of Public Works is examining a number of proposals on a suitable site in Athy. The data from the central applications facility published in September showed that a total of 134 persons have applied for decentralisation with the Revenue Commissioners to Athy as their first choice.
150 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding decentralisation for Kildare town, County Kildare; the position regarding land acquisition for the provision of facilities for his Department; the number of staff who have indicated an interest in the Kildare option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33380/04]
View answerThe report from the decentralisation implementation group dated 19 November 2004 did not include Kildare town, County Kildare as a location in the first phase of moves. A further report will issue from the group in spring 2005 dealing with all remaining locations, including Kildare town. My Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Office of Public Works are in the process of preparing a brief of requirements for accommodation of the units decentralising to Kildare town. When the brief is finalised the process of pursuing a property solution will be progressed by the Office of Public Works.
The data from the central applications facility published in September showed that a total of 35 persons have applied for decentralisation to Kildare town with my Department and a total of 120 persons have applied for decentralisation to Kildare town with the Revenue Commissioners as their first choice.
151 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible for persons employed by An Post who are former employees of the Department of Post and Telegraphs and still holding Civil Service status to transfer to another Government Department under the proposed scheme of decentralisation. [33386/04]
View answerAll applications to participate in the decentralisation programme must be submitted through the central applications facility launched in May 2004. The creation of the central application facility was recommended by the decentralisation implementation group in its March 2004 report. In paragraph 2.13 of the report, the implementation group recommended that applications would be invited from all civil servants, staff of all non-commercial State sponsored bodies and the two commercial State companies included in the programme. Staff of the remaining commercial state companies, including An Post, are not eligible to participate in the programme.
