asked the Minister for Finance if he will give an assurance that no civil servant who owns a house will be transferred from his present district so long as it is not possible for him to sell his house because of the mortgage crisis.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transfer of Civil Servants.
85.
It will be appreciated that the primary consideration governing transfers must be the needs of the public service. Nevertheless, the personal circumstances of officers are always taken into account when a transfer is contemplated. The agreed removal expenses regulations already provide for special consideration to be given in any case where a transferred officer experiences delays in disposing of his house at his former headquarters.
Is it true that the order of the Minister for Local Government has now jeopardised all possibility of decentralisation of Government offices as proposed by the last Government and agreed to by the present one?
Most certainly not. The provision which gives quite generous expenses to public servants when they are moving from one place to another will cover any temporary difficulties which could arise.
Is the Minister now suggesting that a civil servant who goes to Castlebar or Athlone must maintain two houses because the Minister for Local Government will not let him sell his old one?
We are broadening the scope of this question.
I should like to point out that the recommendation to the building societies is similar to one which issued in 1965.
Oh, yes but I am talking directly about decentralisation of Government Departments.
Oh, yes. Deputy Lemass sees a very great difference between 1965 and 1973. As far as the ordinary householders are concerned, the circumstances are not dissimilar and I am sure this temporary difficulty will be quickly overcome.
I can tell the Minister that I get better financial advise than he has. Decentralisation is out because the civil servants will not go unless they can sell their old houses.
Question No. 86.