I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 422 together.
The relocation of business areas from Dublin to provincial centres involves a major programme of work for my Department and a formal project management structure has been established to ensure this programme is delivered in an efficient and effective manner. A key objective of this programme is to ensure that decentralisation is implemented with minimal disruption to customer service and to the 1,300 staff involved.
A preliminary implementation plan for decentralisation of my Department has been prepared. The plan includes an overall analysis of the risks involved and the proposed measures required to manage those risks. A more detailed risk analysis will be undertaken by each business unit involved in the programme over the coming months. Details of the costs which will be involved will be a matter for discussion with the Department of Finance in the context of the overall programme and in the Estimates process but in my view the long-term benefits of the programme will far outweigh the short-term costs which will be involved.
Following decentralisation, the social welfare appeals office will continue to provide an independent adjudication service to the public on all scheme entitlement decisions made in my Department. The question as to where this office should be located was given careful consideration as part of the decentralisation planning process. Following this analysis, while it is my intention to locate the appeals office headquarters in Drogheda, I do not agree that this will impact on the independence and impartiality of the office and, in that regard, appropriate accommodation arrangements will be made to ensure that the necessary degree of separation is applied. Furthermore, a comprehensive training and support programme will be put in place to redress any loss in staff experience arising from the relocation programme.