I have received a request to meet with a deputation in relation to the transfer of the administrative functions out of the Roscommon regional office.
As I have indicated in response to previous Parliamentary Questions on this issue, there has been a significant reduction in the number of administrative staff required in regional offices arising from the reduction in the incidence of disease, the computerisation of much of the work and the introduction of various efficiencies into the operation of the Bovine TB eradication scheme. In this context, the centralisation of administrative functions in the local offices to two centres fits in both with my Department’s objectives in driving efficiency and savings and also with the broad public service reform agenda. It will enable my Department to reduce the number of administrative staff it requires to support Veterinary Office operations and, accordingly, the cost of providing its services and, at the same time, it will facilitate the re-deployment of staff from the local offices to other State agencies and, thereby, enable the Government to provide services more efficiently through these agencies.
I should emphasise that the centralisation of administrative functions will not negatively impact upon local access and services for local customers. The Department vets, inspectors and technical officers, along with appropriate administrative support, will remain in place in the Roscommon office to service our clients across all of the schemes that are provided from this office.
In view of the foregoing, I do not intend to alter my decision to centralise the administrative functions in the regional offices.
