Dáil debates

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

3:00 pm

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I confirm the Government's commitment to the decentralisation programme which has been included in the Agreed Programme for Government. The Deputy will be aware that the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, was appointed to oversee the implementation of the programme. It might be helpful to give a brief update on progress with the programme under a number of headings.

To date, more than 10,600 people have applied to decentralise through the central applications facility, CAF, and despite consistent negative commentary, no political spokesperson has said that any town or county should be dropped from the programme. Progress reports by the DIG are submitted to me on a regular basis. The group reported in its last report, October 2006, that implementation of the decentralisation programme is progressing satisfactorily. At the end of April 2007, more than 2,700 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. It is expected that more than 1,000 staff will be in place this summer in more than 20 new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location as soon as accommodation is available.

It is envisaged that by the end of 2007 public services will be delivered from 33 of the decentralisation towns with approximately 2,000 staff transferred. The precise numbers moving within that timeframe will depend on the availability of property as well as timeframes for completion of fit-out and installation of necessary information communications technology, ICT, and telecommunications cabling and equipment. The property programme is well advanced. The OPW conducts a review of the property timeframes for permanent accommodation on an ongoing basis.

Some 30 State agencies are due to relocate under the Government's decentralisation programme, with 2,340 posts involved, or just over 22% of the programme. The DIG noted in its latest report that while progress has been made by some State agencies, there has been a marked lack of action in others. The group has met with CEOs from a number of State agencies to get an overview of progress to date and to identify the challenges remaining in implementing the Government policy.

The main issues facing the State agencies are those relating to the filling of posts in undersubscribed locations, the placing of staff choosing to remain in Dublin and promotion arrangements. These issues are the subject of ongoing contacts between my Department and ICTU. An approach based on negotiations and agreement has enabled significant progress to be made as regards the Civil Service moves and it is the intention to continue with this policy regarding the professional and technical grades in both the Civil Service and the State agency sector.

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