Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2005
29 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the position in regard to negotiations with the public service unions regarding his proposals to restrict promotional opportunities to staff willing to move to decentralised locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7192/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra47 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Finance if he envisages making any special provision for promotion and for new recruitment in the context of the decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7084/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra51 Mr. Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has sought to introduce a policy that only Civil Servants prepared to decentralise may avail of promotion opportunities; the implications of this policy on the career path of civil servants who wish to remain in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7176/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 47 and 51 together.
Promotion and recruitment are key elements of the Government's decentralisation programme. In the implementation phase, they are important in supporting the efficient movement of Departments and offices to their new locations. In a more decentralised service, acceptance of a post, whether as a result of promotion or open recruitment, will have to be conditional on agreement to work in a particular location. The need for new procedures in these areas has been clearly identified as a priority by the decentralisation implementation group.
In accordance with the group's recommendations, the Department of Finance began detailed discussions in 2004 with the staff unions on the procedures which have to be put in place to support the programme and to develop arrangements for a fully decentralised service. It is desirable that these procedures be discussed and agreed between management and staff.
The Government's position is quite clear: new promotion and recruitment arrangements are required in the Civil Service which take account of the decentralisation programme. It will not be possible in many locations to fill all the posts being transferred solely by the lateral transfer of volunteers. If promotion and recruitment policies are not changed, it could delay implementation of the programme and give rise to extra costs. Getting these policies right is important for the programme and important for the long-term management of the Civil Service.
In 2004, arrangements were made to fill some promotion posts from existing interdepartmental competitions on the basis that promotees would agree to decentralise.
In relation to recruitment, a number of specific posts in the Civil Service, which were known to be decentralising as part of the Government's programme, were advertised both internally and publicly on the basis that the successful candidate would agree to decentralise.
Discussions are continuing between the management and the Civil Service unions with a view to agreeing new promotion and recruitment mechanisms to support implementation of the programme.
