Vol. 577 No. 3
372 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the range of factors which were taken into account and balanced against each other in selecting the location for his Department's decentralisation programme; and if Drogheda was considered as a location for his Department. [30887/03]
I refer the Deputy to the range of factors outlined by the Minister for Finance on 3 December as having been taken into account and balanced against each other in selecting locations for the decentralisation programme, including the selection of Cavan as the location for my Department. I am delighted that Drogheda has been chosen as the location for the headquarters of the Department of Social and Family Affairs which I had the pleasure of working with in the last Government.
373 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has consulted the boards or management or staff of the agencies under the aegis of his Department in regard to proposals to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30952/03]
Consultations with the boards, management and staff of the Central Fisheries Board and Bord Iascaigh Mhara are under way in relation to the planned decentralisation of both bodies.
374 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Cavan in regard to the move of his Department headquarters; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Cavan to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if his Department headquarters will be maintaining a location in Dublin in order to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Cavan to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Cavan. [31017/03]
375 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Clonakilty in regard to the move of Bord Iascaigh Mhara; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Clonakilty to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be maintaining a location in Dublin in order to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Clonakilty to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Clonakilty. [31018/03]
376 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Carrick on Shannon in regard to the move of the Central Fisheries Board; the square footage of the office in which those staff are currently located in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Carrick on Shannon to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if the Central Fisheries Board will be maintaining a location in Dublin in order to provide a base for assistance to him in regard to Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if an estimate has been made of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred; when he expects the move to Carrick on Shannon to be fully complete; if he expects that difficulties will arise in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be close; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Carrick on Shannon. [31019/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 to 376, inclusive, together.
All specific personnel, accommodation, financial and logistical details of implementation of the transfer of my Department to Cavan, the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick on Shannon and BIM to Clonakilty will be progressed from now, in liaison with the Office of Public Works and the Department of Finance under the aegis of the implementation committee.
It was agreed at meetings of the Department's partnership committee and of departmental council last week to establish subgroups of both fora to ensure dialogue and communication and to progress issues of implementation specific to the Department.
