Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 November 2008
304 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the current and capital expenditure which has been incurred to date in respect of the decentralisation projects which have been deferred until a further review occurs in 2011. [38889/08]
View answer305 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons who have been relocated to each of the decentralised locations established by units or agencies under his Department; the floor areas and occupancy capacity of each of the facilities concerned; and the date by which it is intended to complete the transfer of remaining staff. [38904/08]
View answer306 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff moves that have been necessitated by the decentralisation programme in units or agencies in his Department distinguishing the moves at managerial or technical level. [38919/08]
View answer307 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the facilities in Dublin which units or agencies under his Department, plan to vacate as a result of the decentralisation programme; the floor areas involved; and when it is planned that they will be realised. [38934/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 304 to 307, inclusive, together.
My reply relates only to matters which are the direct responsibility of my Department and does not cover matters in relation to property acquisition or property disposal, as these are issues for the Office of Public Works.
As the Deputy will be aware, the decentralisation of my Department's Headquarters to Charlestown, Co. Mayo, has not been deferred. To date, 100 staff have moved to temporary accommodation in Tubbercurry, where they currently occupy some 1,560 sq metres of space. There is full capacity in Tubbercurry at present and it is intended to move the remaining staff when the new Headquarters building in Charlestown is completed at end-2010.
My Department has now fulfilled its commitments in relation to decentralisation at Na Forbacha, Co. Galway. 11 staff have decentralised there, who are housed in an extension to the existing building in that location.
In relation to bodies or agencies that come within the ambit of the Department, I can confirm that the further decentralisation of Pobal to Clifden, Co. Galway, has been deferred and will be considered further in 2011. 25 staff have already moved to temporary accommodation in Clifden, where the floor area is 350 sq meters. There is capacity for 29 staff in the current building. A total of €222,943 has been spent to date on that temporary accommodation and no other costs have been incurred.
In relation to Foras na Gaeilge, 5 posts were approved recently to relocate to Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal, and the decentralisation of a further 25 posts will be further considered in due course in the North/South framework and in the context of the planned review in 2011. No capital or current costs have been incurred to date in relation to the decentralisation of Foras na Gaeilge. The issue of interim accommodation for the 5 Foras staff is being pursued with the Office of Public Works and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
In relation to the decentralisation programme to Tubbercurry/Charlestown and the number of staff moves that have been necessitated, I can confirm that 95 staff moved into my Department and 79 transferred out of it, either by way of bilateral transfers, transfers under the Dublin arrangements or by decentralising to other Departments. The remaining staff resigned, retired or transferred on promotion. Some 17 of the moves involved managerial grades and 4 are technical/professional. There have been 5 staff moves in relation to Na Forbacha, none in managerial grades and one Technical/Professional.
Of the 25 staff that were relocated to Clifden, these were recruited for that location. 2 of the staff in question are managerial and the remainder are technical/administrative. There have been no staff moves to date in relation to Foras na Gaeilge. The matter of vacating buildings in Dublin as a result of the decentralisation programme will be a matter for the Office of Public Works.
