Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Mar 2000

Vol. 517 No. 2

Ceisteanna – Questions. Priority Questions. - Decentralisation Programme.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

1 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to decentralise Government Departments; the number of public servants who will be affected by these plans; the regional locations proposed for decentralised Departments and agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9370/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy): In my Budget Statement I outlined the Government's intention to proceed with a further round of decentralisation which will involve, for the first time, the non-commercial semi-State sector. In the reviewed An Action Programme for the Millennium, the Government had previously reiterated its commitment to a policy of balanced regional development and set the channelling of public sector jobs into provincial areas as a key priority.

Since my budget day announcement I have initiated a process of consultation with my Government colleagues with a view to taking decisions on a significant programme of decentralisation by the summer. I am on record as saying that a new programme of decentralisation could include as many as 10,000 civil and public servants. While I appreciate that this is an ambitious target I see it as an entirely achievable one. However, I am aware that there are certain constraints which may ultimately impact on the numbers to be included in the new programme. Until the consultative process, which I recently initiated, has concluded and the Government has taken its decisions, it is difficult to state definitively the numbers which will be decentralised under the forthcoming programme.

As part of the process currently under way careful consideration is being given to the selection of the centres to which Departments, offices and agencies will be relocated. I have received and continue to receive a significant amount of correspondence on the subject and it is clear that there is considerable interest throughout the country in the issue. I reiterate that in advance of the Government's deliberations, it is premature for me to comment on the likelihood of the inclusion of any particular centre in the new programme. However, in that regard I reassure those who have corresponded with me that all the centres suggested for inclusion, and some which have not, will be fully considered before any decisions are taken by the Government.

Mr. Noonan

Under the Government, the centres to which public sector agencies were decentralised seem to have been decided on the basis of which constituencies were represented by a Cabinet Minister. Will this continue to be the procedure or has the Minister set down objective criteria for the selection of locations?

Mr. McCreevy

A few bodies were relocated over recent years as a result of specific items on the Government agenda. For example, recently in the context of the proposals in the White Paper on Defence, a small number of Civil Defence workers were relocated to Tipperary while with regard to the Government's proposal for Campus Ireland and the new sports stadium, it was necessary to relocate a number of staff to Abbotstown. We are embarking on a major programme of decentralisation and all areas will be considered to ensure balanced regional development.

Every part of the country is likely to be considered, regardless of whether it is represented by a Cabinet Minister. As the Deputy will be aware, following his term as Minister during the previous Administration, that criterion came very much into consideration when, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency was relocated to County Wexford, the home of the then Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, and a large section of the Department of Agriculture and Food was also transferred to County Wexford, the home of the then Minister for Agriculture and Food. I am sure no such considerations will ever enter my mind.

Mr. Noonan

While we trade locations, the Minister might recall Roscrea, Cahirciveen and Tullamore. We are aware of who represented those towns and who engineered decentralisation to them.

Mr. McCreevy

Very small numbers were involved.

Mr. Noonan

Is it the Minister's intention to relocate entire Departments?

Mr. McCreevy

Yes.

Mr. Noonan

Will the policy of decentralising sections of Departments continue?

Mr. McCreevy

Despite the jocularity between myself and the Deputy about past decentralisation, it is the intention to move entire Departments and non-commercial bodies. Approximately 29,500 civil servants and 2,500 public servants will be involved. When the current round of decentralisation is completed, up to 14,000 people will have relocated from Dublin. Some Departments have been very good at decentralising their staff. I hope to achieve a figure of up to 10,000 and when that is achieved the bulk of civil and public servants will work outside Dublin.

Mr. Noonan

What timeframe is anticipated?

Mr. McCreevy

When I have completed the consultative process with my Cabinet colleagues I hope to bring proposals before the Government prior to the summer recess.

Mr. Noonan

Will there be one announcement in this regard or will there be a number of instalments?

Mr. McCreevy

On this occasion, the best way is to announce a programme of decentralisation, including the locations and the bodies involved, examining all matters.

Mr. Noonan

Before the summer recess?

Mr. McCreevy

Before the Government breaks up for the summer holidays.