Many people who have applied to decentralise have now moved into their new decentralised posts. Concurrently, individuals in decentralised posts who did not wish to decentralise transferred to the vacated posts scheduled to remain in Dublin. Such transfers, which have been taking place for some time now, are accomplished on a voluntary basis with the individuals concerned applying to transfer to the Dublin posts.
My Department has recently extended the arrangements for people remaining in Dublin. The Public Appointments Service has commenced the operation of a system that will match Dublin based posts with people wishing to remain in Dublin. Any decentralising organisation which anticipates that it will have staff wishing to remain in Dublin who cannot be placed within the organisation will engage with the Public Appointments Service in the placement of these individuals. Each individual affected or likely to be affected will be offered the opportunity to indicate preferences on Dublin based posts.
Regular discussions are continuing with the trade unions on the implementation of the entire decentralisation programme including the details of these arrangements for the staff remaining in Dublin.