Denis Naughten
Question:420 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he intends to decentralise part of his Department to Carrick-on-Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32589/05]
View answerTuesday, 8 November 2005
Questions (333, 334)
Denis Naughten
Question:432 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of applications in each grade that has been received from civil servants wishing to decentralise to Carrick-on-Shannon; the number of positions at each grade required to facilitate the decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/05]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 432 together.
In December 2003 as part of the Government's announcement of the new decentralisation programme, it was decided that 220 posts would be decentralised from my Department to Carrick-on-Shannon. The Office of Public Works commenced the process of identifying suitable accommodation in the town and it was decided to pursue a two phased approach to decentralisation to Carrick-on-Shannon.
Phase 1 will involve 130 posts and a building is scheduled to be ready for occupation in early 2007. The Department expects to be ready to commence the relocation of staff to Carrick-on-Shannon at this time.
The central applications facility operated by the Public Appointments Service has, up to 7 September 2004, identified 273 staff who wish to relocate to Carrick-on-Shannon as a first preference and the grade breakdown is as follows: three principal officers, seven assistant principal officers, 19 higher executive officers, one administrative officer, 50 executive officers, 22 staff officers, 166 clerical officers and five other assorted posts.
In the first phase the Department will require in the region of three principal officers, 12 assistant principal officers, 16 higher executive officers, 22 executive officers, seven staff officers, 67 clerical officers, and three services officers. The Department is well subscribed at most grades from amongst the first preference applications and, at those grades where there is a shortage of numbers, the Department is now in the process of identifying staff who may have Carrick-on-Shannon as an alternate choice on the central applications facility.