Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 February 2005
11 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of staff of his Department who have applied to be relocated outside Dublin under the Government’s decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34102/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra12 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department, broken down by grade, who have applied to relocate under the Government’s decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3499/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra13 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the number of staff in his Department who have applied for relocation outside Dublin under the decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3644/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra14 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the number of his staff who have applied to relocate outside Dublin under the decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4485/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, together.
A total of 45 staff from my Department have applied through the central applications facility to relocate under the decentralisation programme, an increase of one since the expiry of the initial period for priority applications on 7 September 2004. Broken down by grade, there are seven assistant principals, nine administrative officers, four higher executive officers, 12 executive officers, two staff officers, ten clerical officers and one general operative.
Since the last occasion on which these questions were asked, significant events have taken place. Will the Taoiseach indicate if he has made any appointment to the chairmanship of the Government decentralisation implementation committee in view of the resignation of Mr. Phil Flynn arising from his association with a person under investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau in respect of his involvement with a finance company? Will the Taoiseach confirm that there are no restrictions on the promotion of civil servants in Dublin? Queries I have received indicate that when civil servants in Dublin sign up for promotion it must be on the basis that they are prepared to relocate outside Dublin. Does the Taoiseach agree that this is contradictory, given the voluntary nature of the decentralisation programme, under which the former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy, said 10,000 civil servants would be relocated within three years? Can the Taoiseach confirm that promotions are not contingent upon agreement to relocate to a different part of the country?
The question refers specifically to the Department of the Taoiseach.
This refers to the Taoiseach's Department.
It does not arise for my Department because it is not moving, but there is no truth in what the Deputy suggests.
On the question of names, it is a matter for the Minister for Finance to bring names to the Government. Given the enormous amount of work going on, it is important that a new chairperson is appointed. I have discussed the issue but not the replacement. The Minister for Finance will move on this very shortly.
On that point, has the Taoiseach had any direct discussions with Mr. Phil Flynn either immediately prior to his resignation or since?
That does not arise out of the four questions.
The answer to the question is probably "no" and it would take approximately five seconds to answer.
No.
Does the Taoiseach believe the resignation has any adverse implications for the implementation programme, given the circumstances surrounding it?
The question must refer specifically to the Department of the Taoiseach.
Does the Taoiseach believe the resignation of the chairman of the implementation committee, in circumstances in which he felt obliged to resign, has had any adverse implications for his Department?
From the point of view of my Department, the chairman, to his credit, put in a significant amount of his time. He has many commitments but he was dedicated to moving this forward. He is obviously a loss to the group. However, there are other good and dedicated people on the group. They include the Chairman of the Office of Public Works; the Secretary General, PSMD, of the Department of Finance; a chartered surveyor; an outside private sector managing director; a former chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. The resignation is a distraction and it is necessary to fill the position and move on. The process of engaging with the advisory committee, my Department and others has been well organised. It would be better if difficulties did not arise, but they did and we must now move on.
Can the Taoiseach tell the House who now sits on the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Decentralisation? Has a review been carried out, given what I would describe as the revised estimate, the downward revision, which resulted from the failure to secure sufficient interest among civil servants? The figures are clearly lower than initially anticipated by the Government.
This question refers specifically to the Department of the Taoiseach. General questions should be directed to the line Minister, the Minister for Finance.
Earlier the Ceann Comhairle stopped me on the Esat Digifone mobile licence as if he had better information. I did not respond then that the Moriarty tribunal had dealt with this. My question relates——
Discussion on the Moriarty tribunal is not appropriate. The Deputy knows the ruling.
The Ceann Comhairle saw fit to interrupt me when he did not know what he was talking about. My question relates to the Department of the Taoiseach. It is becoming extremely tedious to be constantly interrupted.
The Chair never interrupts. The Chair intervenes when necessary.
My question is whether or not a review has taken place as a result of the revised estimate of the numbers prepared to relocate.
There is no review. The work of preparation actively continues. There are priority areas for the first stage. There will be a second report later in the spring. While anticipated numbers have not been achieved in early rounds, there are more than enough to go on with. Perhaps it will be prioritised over a longer period, but work continues.
Is a report made to a Cabinet sub-committee?
Reports are made to the entire Cabinet as this issue affects practically all Ministers. A Cabinet committee meets when necessary but a monthly report is made to the full Cabinet.
Will the Taoiseach indicate when the new chairman of the implementation group will take up the position following the resignation of Mr. Phil Flynn? Given the Taoiseach's earlier reply, on what basis does he state that there is no pressure on civil servants to accept decentralisation before they apply for promotion? The decentralisation programme was introduced as a voluntary scheme. This seems to be contrary to the spirit of the scheme.
This question refers specifically to the Department of the Taoiseach.
It does. I hope the Taoiseach will be able to respond.
Is the Taoiseach aware that IMPACT has published very worrying figures which indicate that quite a number of skilled positions will be unfilled if the decentralisation of a number of Departments — I am not sure whether the Department of the Taoiseach is one of them——
The question refers specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.
Will the Taoiseach take a note of that and say whether that problem will be addressed?
We cannot create a precedent where Members can ask the Taoiseach general questions.
I am not trying to create a precedent. I am asking about the decentralisation programme within the constraints set down.
That is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
Is the Taoiseach aware of that worrying development? Is there any indication that wages and costs for people who remain in Dublin will be assessed as an additional cost, given that they are voluntarily not being decentralised.
The system is a voluntary one. It is being implemented on a voluntary basis. That is the spirit of it and that is how it operates.
