Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
424. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans, if any, to close his Department's public office in Roscommon town; the cost of any relocation and refurbishment of alternative office accommodation at the alternative location; the current number of inquiries dealt with by the office on an annual basis; the location the alternative public office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/13]
View answerMy Department has no proposals to close its office in Roscommon or any other of its Regional Offices throughout the country. However, in the light of a recent review of Regional Office operations, I am strongly of the view that significant efficiencies and cost savings can be made by centralising in one or possibly two locations the administrative support available to the veterinary, technical and professional staff in those Offices. I am also strongly of the view that these efficiencies can be achieved without any diminution in the level of services normally available to farmers.
This process has commenced with the transfer of administrative functions for the Clonakilty office to Cork city and the transfer of administrative functions for the Limerick DVO office to Naas. Arrangements are also in train to transfer the administrative functions out of the Tipperary regional office. In each case, the veterinary, professional and technical services available to farmers from these offices have remained in situ. The centralisation of administrative functions in other regional offices including Roscommon will be considered in light of the availability of opportunities to redeploy the staff concerned to support other critical public services.
