Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

210 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the current policy, if any, of his Department in relation to the posting of various public servants in provincial towns for example civil servants and so on; the rules, if any, which exist in relation to the length of time they should serve in one location; his views on whether this rule is not essential to prevent perceived close relationships building up with the business community and so on; if he will consider a five or seven year rule in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21862/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

There are three ways in which civil servants are posted to provincial locations viz., through open Civil Service competitions for positions specifically advertised for named locations, through relocation as part of the Government's decentralisation programme, or through head-to-head relocation transfers, usually sought for personal reasons. Postings to provincial locations are always on a voluntary basis and are deemed to be permanent. It is considered that any suggestion that relocated civil servants would have to move on again in a set number of years would militate against the successful completion of the Government's decentralisation programme.