Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 April 2005
108 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if any Government Departments, or parts thereof, or any State agencies, will be relocated to the towns of Carrickmacross, Cavan and Monaghan under the decentralisation programme, following the omission of these towns from the list of towns receiving relocated offices up to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13436/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe headquarters of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources will relocate to Cavan with 384 posts. Part of the Department of Social and Family Affairs will relocate to Carrickmacross with 85 posts and the Combat Poverty Agency will relocate to Monaghan with 26 posts.
The decentralisation implementation group reported last November on the organisations which it had selected for inclusion in the first phase of transfers and stated in its report that locations and organisations not included in that report would be dealt with in its next report.
109 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the latest information available from the central applications facility in respect of applications from civil servants and other public servants located in Dublin who wish to transfer to new locations outside of Dublin under the Government’s decentralisation programme; the way in which this compares with the Government target of 10,300; his views on the potential loss of skills and expertise for specialist State agencies should they be decentralised with so few people willing to transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest figures from the central applications facility show there is very substantial interest in the programme. During the period for priority applications, up to 7 September 2004, 8,958 applications made up of 8,152 civil servants and 806 public servants were received by the Public Appointments Service. Of these, 4,813 were from people — 4,236 civil servants and 577 public servants — located in Dublin. New applications for decentralisation continue to be received. Since the period for priority applications finished in September 2004, over 650 new applications have been received.
There are particular issues that arise in dealing with the State agencies. The correct approach is to tease out the issues and develop good long-term solutions in consultation with all of the parties involved. This is the approach being adopted by the decentralisation implementation group. I am confident that the programme will proceed and will be successfully completed in due course.
The results are encouraging and provide a very good base from which to move forward.
