Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Paddy McHugh

Ceist:

198 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the effect the decision to decentralise 300 OSI jobs to Dungarvan will have on existing OSI centres in Tuam, Kilkenny, Cork, Ennis, Longford and Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30799/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The relocation of 200 Dublin based staff will have no impact on the staff currently working in the six regional offices.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

199 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the numbers employed by category and grade in each Department of State in which decentralisation is involved; the current numbers by grade in each office decentralised to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/03]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

222 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the number of grades of HEO and above that are currently employed in each Department of State to be decentralised; the numbers of such grades that are due for decentralisation and their assigned location; the position he will adopt if there are insufficient acceptances of transfer on a voluntary basis; if he intends to deal with such outcome by further promotions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31205/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 222 together.

The number of staff currently employed by my Department is broken down by grade in the following table:

Grade	No. Serving (Head Count)
Secretary Genera	1
Secretary General PSMD	1
Second Secretary	3
Assistant Secretary	11
Principal Officer	58
Assistant Principal	146
Higher Executive Officer	92
Administrative Officer	55
Executive Officer	55
Staff Officer	33
Clerical Officer	143
Services Officer	23
Services Attendant	2
Accountant	1
Chief Medical Officer	1
Deputy Chief Medical Officer	1
Occupational Physician	2
Occupational Nurse	2
Personal Assistant	1
Personal Secretary	1
Press Officer	1
Irish Teacher	1
Foreign Language Teacher	1
	635

In addition to the above staff, there are an additional 19 staff serving in this Department in the NDP and Structural Funds area, who are paid by the EU. In the time available, it has not been possible to ascertain the numbers serving in the other bodies under my aegis that are being decentralised, but I will reply to the Deputy in respect of those figures as soon as possible.

The intention is to decentralise 130 staff from the finance unit, the centre of management, organisation and development and the NDP-Structural Funds area of my Department to Tullamore, County Offaly, and a further 20 IT staff to be decentralised to a location to be decided at a future date. To date, no decision has been made on the grading structure of those staff. No area of my Department has been decentralised to date. The programme of decentralisation will be implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis, and discussions will be held with the public service unions on the programme.