Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

Questions (322, 323)

Joan Burton

Question:

434 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will list in regard to his Department and State agencies or bodies operating under the aegis of his Department, the original proposal announced in December 2003 in regard to decentralisation; the position in regard to each such proposed decentralisation; the number which have been completed; the number of persons who have been relocated; the number and proportion who have been relocated from Dublin or from other locations; the number of projects that have to be completed; the target date for completion in each case; the number of proposed projects that will not proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32011/08]

Joan Burton

Question:

439 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of civil servants and other public servants in his Department who had been decentralised from Dublin to other locations by the original deadline for the completion of the plan of December 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/08]

Written answers

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 439 together.

The budget announcement in December 2003 stated that my Department would relocate 140 posts to Knock Airport and 10 to Na Forbacha. It also stipulated that ADM Ltd (now Pobal) would relocate 40 posts to Clifden and that 30 Foras na Gaeilge posts would transfer to Gaoth Dobhair. Planning permission was later refused for a proposed headquarters site at Knock Airport and Charlestown, Co Mayo, was subsequently chosen by Government as the location for my Department's new headquarters. To progress the decentralisation process, it was decided to relocate some divisions of my Department to an interim location in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Considerable progress has been made to date in fulfilling my Department's commitments under the Decentralisation Programme, as set out below in the format requested by the Deputy.

Knock Airport/Charlestown/Tubbercurry

100 of the 140 staff that will decentralise to Charlestown, Co Mayo, have now relocated to an interim location in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. The Office of Public Works has been engaged in the meantime in the process of selecting and purchasing an appropriate site at Charlestown.

Tubbercurry/Charlestown
Number relocated to Tubbercurry to date	100
Number and % relocated from Dublin	51 (51%)
Number and % relocated from outside Dublin	49 (49%)
Number relocated to Tubbercurry by end-2006	70
Number relocated from Dublin by end-2006	39
Target date for completion (i.e. to Charlestown)	End-2010

Na Forbacha

My Department's commitment under the Decentralisation Programme in relation to Na Forbacha has been met in full.

Na Forbacha
Number relocated to Na Forbacha to date	10
Number and % relocated from Dublin	5 (50%)
Number and % relocated from outside Dublin	5 (50%)
Number relocated to Na Forbacha by end-2006	8
Number relocated from Dublin by end-2006	4
Target date for completion	Completed by end-2007

Clifden

To date 25 Pobal staff are in place in Clifden. Relocation of further staff is dependent on provision of further accommodation, which is being addressed by OPW at present.

Clifden
Number relocated to Clifden to date	25
Number and % relocated from Dublin	1 (4%)
Number and % relocated from outside Dublin	24 (96%)
Number relocated to Clifden by end-2006	23
Number relocated from Dublin by end-2006	1
Target date for completion	Dependent on accommodation

Gaoth Dobhair

The relocation of Foras na Gaeilge posts is being pursued in a North/South framework.