Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
55 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if further progress has been made with regard to the decentralisation of his Department; if there have been more expressions of interest made to the central applications facility in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33267/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the progress of decentralisation in any Department is guided by the overall implementation process being carried out centrally by the decentralisation implementation group.
In that context, the decentralisation implementation group, in its latest report published on 19 November, has listed my Department as a "potential early mover". Officials in my Department are engaged on a continuing basis, in co-operation with officials of the decentralisation unit in the Department of Finance, in putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient implementation of the decentralisation programme in respect of my Department.
I outlined in my reply to Question No. 119 on 9 November 2004 the range of steps that has been taken by my Department to advance the decentralisation process, including the establishment of a dedicated decentralisation unit and a departmental decentralisation committee comprising members of senior management and staff.
The Deputy will be aware that the CAF system, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service, will be open to staff members on a continuing basis. The September 2004 data obtained from the CAF system indicates that 159 civil servants and nine public servants have lodged applications for or expressed an interest in decentralisation to Knock Airport. The number of staff required by my Department for that location is 159.9. There is no information to hand on additional applications through the CAF relating to my Department since September 2004.
