asked the Minister for Finance what consultations took place with Civil Service Staff Associations on the proposed decentralisation of Government Departments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transfer of Government Departments.
43.
I met representatives of the Civil Service staff associations before the Taoiseach's statement was issued. I informed them that there would be full consultation and liaison with their organisations on matters arising from the Government's decision. Discussions have since commenced at the General Council under the conciliation and arbitration machinery for the Civil Service.
Could the Minister give the date of his consultation?
I cannot remember the exact date.
Was it within a week or a month?
Almost immediately before. The purpose was to inform the deputation.
Just to inform, not to consult?
Inform them of the announcement and, at the same time, inform them that, immediately after the announcement, the process of consultation and discussion would commence.
Did Deputy Moran, the Minister for Lands, anticipate the Taoiseach?
If the Deputy wants to take on the Minister for Lands, he should do so directly.
I have no desire to have any contact with him.
That figures.
44.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the evaluative criteria by which the Departments of Education and Lands were selected for decentralisation, and the criteria by which the towns of Castlebar and Athlone were chosen as sites for these Departments; and if any other Departments were considered unsuitable in the light of these criteria.
45.
asked the Minister for Finance the criteria by which Castlebar was chosen as the new venue for the Department of Lands.
46.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the cost benefit analysis which determined the choice of the Departments of Education and Lands for decentralisation; and if he will indicate the estimated cost of this move to the Exchequer over the next six financial years.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 44 to 46 together.
The considerations which influenced the decision to decentralise the Departments of Education and Lands cannot be presented in mathematical terms as the matter was examined in the light of a number of important national considerations such as the need to redress the imbalance of population in the country and to revitalise the west of Ireland by action on a wide and imaginative scale. The Departments of Education and Lands emerged as two Departments which, by reason of the nature of their work, were particularly suitable for transfer to a provincial location. The selection of Athlone and Castlebar had regard to the Government's policy for regional development.
The choice of Departments and provincial centres was a matter of extreme difficulty but the Government were convinced that no progress would be possible until a definite programme had been announced. It is not possible at this stage to give the estimate of cost sought. It should be borne in mind that these costs will be offset by the accommodation released in Dublin.
47.
asked the Minister for Finance the marital status and sex of the staff of the Departments of Education and Lands at present in Dublin.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
MARITAL STATUS and Sex of Civil Servants serving in Dublin in the Departments of Education and Lands.
|
Department |
Married Men |
Widows |
Single Men |
Single Women |
Total |
|
Education |
166 |
34 |
46 |
278 |
524 |
|
Lands |
319 |
47 |
77 |
548 |
991 |
|
Total |
485 |
81 |
123 |
826 |
1,515 |
48.
asked the Minister for Finance the use to which it is intended to put the buildings in Dublin at present occupied by the Departments of Education and Lands when they are vacated on the transfer of those Departments to Athlone and Castlebar.
The use to which these buildings will be put is still under consideration. It is not, of course, possible at this stage to anticipate what our requirements in regard to accommodation will be when these premises are vacated.
Could the Minister say if, in relation to the Department of Lands, that includes the Land Commission offices?
Yes.