Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (47, 48)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

228 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the deleterious effect on morale of the staff of his Department caused by the uncertainty arising from the proposed relocation of his Department offices and by the proposed location of his Department’s headquarters; his views on the decreased morale; the measures he intends to take to improve morale; if he was consulted regarding the proposed location of his Department’s headquarters; the views he has expressed on this; if he has consulted his staff regarding the location; his views on whether the staff of his Department are justified to be unsatisfied with the proposals, particularly in view of the co-operation given by the staff during the foot and mouth crisis and the Irish presidency of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21217/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department's decentralisation implementation plan acknowledges that staff may have concerns and sets out its intentions in this regard. Since the Government's announcement of its decentralisation plan in December 2003 my Department has kept all staff fully informed on a timely basis of developments and decisions taken regarding the decentralisation process. Information has been made available on the Department's intranet site and the partnership process has also been used as a forum for discussion and dialogue. A number of staff have already relocated to Portlaoise as part of the overall plan.

The recently published Central Applications Facility, CAF, figures show a good interest in staff both from within and outside of my Department wishing to relocate to Portlaoise. The decentralisation implementation group will report to the Cabinet sub-committee in the autumn outlining its views on sequencing and timing of decentralisation.

John Perry

Ceist:

229 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans there are with regard to the area offices, in particular in Sligo, to downgrade these offices, in view of the new single payment and de-coupling arrangements; if he will assure staff in area offices with regard to the security of their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The single payment scheme will be made from the Department's office in Portlaoise. The local offices will continue to have an important role in disease eradication schemes and other veterinary functions. The decentralisation programme will create additional career opportunities for staff in local offices.