Shared Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Ceisteanna (161)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

161. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the situation where shared service programmes are being located to individual local authorities and where staff in other local authorities wish to transfer to the new shared service project in cases where it is nearer where they live; the structure and arrangements in place whereby staff can transfer between local authorities as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/13]

Freagraí ó Béal (1 píosaí cainte)

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Recently, as part of the Local Government sector’s shared services programme, Laois County Council was selected, following a competitive bidding process, to provide shared payroll and superannuation services on behalf of all local authorities. Subject to the completion of further detailed design, the new local authority shared service centre will begin operation from early 2014. As part of the detailed design currently being undertaken, staffing and resourcing issues will be addressed by Laois County Council, in consultation with the sector’s Programme Management Office and my Department. Ultimately, it is anticipated that the shared service centre will operate with a maximum staff complement of 72, once fully operational, and that the shared service will deliver annual savings of €4.3m and release almost 70 WTE staff in the sector.