Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2006

Thursday, 18 May 2006

Questions (182)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

182 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a site has been acquired in Enniscorthy, County Wexford for the proposed decentralised offices of An Bord Bia; if not, if a site has been identified; the length of time before the site will be acquired and offices ready for occupation; the expected timeframe for the decentralisation of An Bord Bia staff to these offices; the number of staff who have applied and are ready to transfer with An Bord Bia to Enniscorthy; if sufficient numbers have not applied directly from An Bord Bia, if other suitable applicants to the central applications facility have been identified and approached to decentralise to Enniscorthy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19015/06]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The acquisition of an appropriate site for Bord Bia in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford under the decentralisation programme is a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). The OPW evaluated a total of 14 proposed sites in Enniscorthy and submitted a shortlist of three to Bord Bia for consideration. Bord Bia has indicated its preference in this regard and I understand that OPW is now putting the necessary arrangements in place.

24 Bord Bia staff members have indicated a willingness to relocate to Enniscorthy as part of the decentralisation programme. An additional 47 persons from outside Bord Bia have applied for positions in Enniscorthy through the Central Applications Facility.

Issues relating to the transferability of staff between State Agencies and between the Civil Service, Public Service and State Agencies generally are being examined centrally by the Department of Finance who deal with general human resource and industrial relations issues arising from decentralisation.