Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2015
164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applicants awaiting transfer in his Department to locations other than their present location; the number of applications, by location; the rules that apply for such transfers; if an applicant has a defined position on the list for transfer; the grounds that apply to applicants being moved up or down on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38751/15]
View answerMy Department does not operate a transfer list.
There are two mechanisms currently available to staff in my Department seeking a voluntary transfer to another location. One method involves the staff member directly applying through the Central Applications Facility run by Public Appointment Service for remaining decentralisation locations.
The second mechanism is the "head to head" transfer, that is, where the member of staff directly contacts a person willing to swap with them. My Department only becomes aware of such transfer requests when staff have identified a suitable opportunity. At such time it is at the discretion of the Departments concerned to agree to the transfer arrangements having regard to sick leave and performance assessments. Accordingly, this Department does not have definitive information on the number of persons seeking transfers to other locations.
