The Office of Public Works (OPW) leased buildings in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, on a temporary basis, for the former Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs (CEGA). Those offices were provided as an advance office for the decentralisation of that former Department to Charlestown, Co. Mayo. Following a reconfiguration of Government Departments, the Community Division of CEGA transferred to my Department in May 2011.
Following a review of the Decentralisation Programme conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, it was decided to consolidate my Department's business operations in the West at its offices in Ballina, Co Mayo. This process is well advanced with over half the Tubbercurry staff relocated to Ballina. The remaining Tubbercurry staff are due to relocate when OPW has completed necessary renovations to the Ballina office. OPW has indicated it expects the necessary work in Ballina will be completed during 2014. A number of staff in Tubbercurry have already been facilitated with reassignments to other Government offices in Co Sligo and surrounding areas, and this will continue over the coming months, where possible.
The following table sets out the information requested regarding the number of staff employed by my Department in Tubbercurry since May 2011. Information prior to this date is not available in my Department.
|
Period
|
No of Staff (Headcount)
|
|
1 May 2011
|
61
|
|
1 January 2012
|
54
|
|
1 January 2013
|
33
|
|
1 January 2014
|
18
|
As another Department also occupies the Tubbercurry office, any plans for the continued usage of the building are a matter for the OPW.
