Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Ceisteanna (231, 232)

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

328 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has carried out a risk assessment of the decentralisation plans announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day, in so far as they may impact either directly or indirectly on his Department, or an agency or body operating under the aegis of his Department; when he expects to receive the risk assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6009/04]

Freagraí scríofa

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

As part of my Department's overall planning and scoping of the decentralisation programme, a risk assessment-risk management project is under way in consultation with management and staff. The risk assessment will, inter alia, address the business continuity and budgetary challenges and will identify appropriate solutions to manage these challenges effectively, taking account also of central developments.

This project will also feed into the Department's enterprise wide risk assessment which is being undertaken as part of the implementation of the recommendations of the working group on the accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers. An initial risk assessment report in regard to decentralisation will be completed shortly for discussion and review by senior management.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

329 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the locations to which any part of his Department has already been decentralised; the years in which each such decentralisation took place; the total number of staff who are now employed by his Department in each such location; the number of such staff who were relocated from within his Department; the number of such staff who were transferred from other Departments; the number of such staff who were directly recruited; the total number of job changes and people changes which were required to achieve the decentralisation; the cost of the decentralisation to each such location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6024/04]

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

In 1976, approximately 50 staff in the accounts branch of the then Forest and Wildlife Service were decentralised to Castlebar, County Mayo. As a result of departmental reconfiguration over time and, in particular, the establishment of the State forestry agency, Coillte, the accounts branch of my Department based in Castlebar today consists of 18 staff.

Given the number of years that have elapsed and the extent of reconfiguration of departmental boundaries since this decentralisation, my Department is not in a position to source the specific information requested by the Deputy in regard to the Castlebar decentralisation.

Question No. 330 answered with QuestionNo. 112.