Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The situation in my Department is somewhat simpler as no section of its work is to be decentralised. No one is under pressure to leave and any who leave wish to do so. It is obviously different in other Departments. The issues relating to volunteers are being dealt with as part of the implementation process. They must be discussed and agreed with the public service unions. Possible options include redeployment to other Departments or voluntarily filling vacancies in any Dublin-based non-commercial State organisation that would otherwise be filled by open recruitment. In the case of staff who do not wish to join the Civil Service or decentralise with their current agencies, civil servants who volunteer for decentralisation could be considered to fill the vacant roles. There is a mix of ideas and options, for which the central applications facility is allowing. It has not been difficult for anyone in my Department who has left to be promoted.

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