Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 4

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

99 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the functions or sections of his Department, or boards or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department it is proposed to decentralise; the proposed location in each case; the criteria used for the selection of the location in each case; the total number of staff to be transferred; the discussions he has had with representatives of staff involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31279/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The headquarters of my Department are being transferred to Cavan with a target number of 425 jobs. Bord Iascaigh Mhara is being transferred to Clonakilty, 150 jobs, and the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick on Shannon, 40 jobs. The Minister for Finance has outlined the range of factors which have been taken into account and balanced against each other in selecting locations for decentralised Departments and agencies. Discussions have been held with staff representatives in meetings of the partnership committee and the departmental council last week when it was agreed that subgroups of both partnership and departmental council will be set up to ensure ongoing dialogue and communication and to deal with implementation issues going forward.