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Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Ceisteanna (20)

Liz McManus

Ceist:

13 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in regard to his recent announcement of the transfer of the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service from Dublin to Longford, a survey has been undertaken to establish the number of staff willing to transfer; the breakdown by grade of the number who have indicated their willingness to transfer; the plans there are for staff who are not willing to relocate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The position in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy was set out in my replies to Parliamentary Questions No. 29 of 5 May 2004 and No. 93 of 1 June 2004. As stated previously the central application facility, CAF, was launched by the Civil Service Commission in May 2004 and civil servants have been invited to indicate their preferred decentralisation locations by 8 July 2004. The staff who apply by this date will have priority over those who apply after that date.

However, following agreement with the civil service unions, it has been decided to extend the initial period for priority applications until 7 September 2004. When the information is to hand on the initial CAF interest in decentralisation options, it is intended to conduct a survey in which the relevant prison service staff would be asked to indicate definitively whether or not they wish to remain with the Irish Prison Service and transfer to Longford. The Deputy may be interested to know that, prior to the establishment of the CAF, the Irish Prison Service had received unsolicited applications from 72 persons in other Civil Service bodies who wish to transfer to Longford.

The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has, along with all other Departments and agencies due to decentralise, prepared and submitted an implementation plan to the decentralisation implementation committee. Part of this plan outlines the possible risks associated with decentralisation, as well as presenting strategies for mitigating these risks. The Flynn committee will be submitting its second report to Government at the end of this month.

With regard to staff who do not propose to decentralise to Longford, my colleague, the Minister for Finance, has recently indicated in the national press that a central application facility for civil servants who wish to remain in Dublin will be established shortly.

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