Too much of our public administration is still concentrated in the capital. In Dublin, we have rapid population growth which is putting pressure on public services and threatening to damage the quality of life. In certain rural areas, the opposite is happening – population decline is putting pressure on the viability of public services and threatening to damage the quality of life. This is a pattern of development, which is neither economically efficient nor socially sustainable. One of the obvious solutions is to commence the decentralisation of civil and public service jobs from Dublin to other parts of the country.
Decentralisation has the potential to revitalise towns and villages. It will also have a major positive impact on the quality of life of thousands of families. As a Government, we can build crèches and implement flexible working hours for State workers, but we will never tackle the real stress of commuter workers until we relocate Departments and ensure that people do not have to get on the road at 6 a.m. to be at their desk for 9 a.m.
As a result of the pressures on house prices in recent years, a three-hour daily commute from Kildare to Kildare Street now seems like a stroll in the park, particularly when one considers that many travel from as far away as Wexford, Thurles and Tullamore. These are young people – often young couples with children – who are undertaking extraordinary commuting journeys to achieve the aim of home ownership. Added to the length of their working day, many of these people are away from their homes for in excess of 12 hours a day. I do not think there is anybody who is not sympathetic to the plight of such people.
For these families, there is a real quality of life deficit. Decentralisation has its part to play in making up some of this deficit. For that reason, if for no other, I would characterise decentralisation as a "quality of life" issue.
I am hopeful that decentralisation will have a much more significant impact than simply benefiting those who relocate and their families. I would like to see a profound change in this emphasis on east coast location. I am absolutely convinced that the Government can contribute its part to the east coast concentration through a comprehensive programme of decentralisation of Government Departments, offices and agencies.
The Government has fully committed itself to such an initiative in An Agreed Programme for Government. I take this opportunity to assure the House that the Government is steadfast in its determination to give full effect to its commitment in this regard. Interestingly the contributions made in the Dáil last week and, I am sure, those which will be made here this afternoon, point up the difficulties which any Minister for Finance has in finalising proposals for presentation to the Government.
Many compelling cases have been made for inclusion in a new programme of decentralisation. The Department of Finance has been inundated by submissions and representations. The quality of many of them is extremely impressive with very persuasive cases being made for inclusion in the new programme.
I acknowledge the sense of anticipation in advance of a decision in relation to the new programme. Due to the large volume of quality submissions, I insert the caution that, when the decisions are taken in respect of relocation, there will be many more disappointed towns than happy ones. Every Member would accept the impossibility of accommodating anything other than a fraction of those seeking inclusion in the new programme. This message is not being imparted for any reason other than to bring some perspective to the debate.
Decentralisation should be used as an economic torch to shine light into areas that have not prospered in recent years. The programme should focus on towns that have not benefited significantly from the recent boom. Many of the towns included as gateways and hubs in the spatial strategy are already significantly developed and would not be economically transformed in the same way that smaller town would be by decentralisation.
No one can convince me that prosperous places such as Wexford, Kilkenny or Castlebar need another Government Department. However, I could highlight many places in the midlands that desperately a Government Department. Central to any decision about a new programme of decentralisation is the necessity to ensure the efficient delivery of public services is in no way compromised. It is worth noting that the new programme will be announced and implemented against the background of the new social partnership programme – Sustaining Progress.
I share the view that decentralisation can play its part in moving forward the modernisation agenda to achieve a public service which is: quality, performance and results driven; achieves value for money; is focused on the needs of its customers; is accountable; responds flexibly and rapidly to change; and promotes equal opportunities. Such a substantial programme cannot be delivered other than over a reasonable period. It is critical that the delivery of public services is not affected.
Sourcing the staff for particular Departments or offices relocating to particular locations means considerable transferring of staff between Departments. This can be extremely disruptive if not managed carefully and in a well-planned fashion. Minimising the consequent disruption necessarily means the implementation of a substantial programme of decentralisation should be rolled-out on a progressive and systematic basis over a reasonable period. Having sourced the staff, it will then be necessary to train them in their new responsibilities.
There is also the issue of identifying and acquiring suitable sites for the construction of suitable office accommodation. This is a very important aspect in the delivery of the new programme and one with which the Office of Public Works will be centrally involved. As Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, I will be closely involved in this process. The Office Of Public Works is the agency that will bring any future decentralisation plan to life. It will bring the decentralisation plan from the page to the public.
Decentralisation should be located strategically within the chosen towns. Monolithic office blocks on the edge of small towns are not the way to proceed. We need to be imaginative and use decentralisation as an opportunity for urban regeneration and revitalisation. The State offices should be seen as flagship buildings that make a statement and are a source of pride to the local community.
I reiterate the Government's absolute commitment to a new and substantial programme of decentralisation. I reassure all those organisations – be they local authorities, chambers of commerce or other community groups – which made submissions in respect of the new programme, that full account will be taken of their submissions as part of the decision-making process. The Government will deliver on its commitment to decentralisation. This programme of decentralisation is of considerable significance to the people who will be part of it and to the communities in which they will be relocating, as well as to the citizens of the State who are served by the public service.
The Government is, quite rightly, taking due care in considering the wide range of issues that will impact on the final decision. We have had discussions and received reports about decentralisation. It is now time for action. The Government is committed to the concept of decentralisation. We are committed to moving major blocks of our public administration out of Dublin and into provincial towns. This is an essential part of regional development. I support the commitment made by the Tánaiste at the recent Progressive Democrats party conference on decentralisation to make a start this year, to make it happen and to get things moving. I look forward to the Government moving to progress this important issue as a concrete indication of a commitment to balanced regional development.
