Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

As the Deputy will be aware, the original Government decision on the decentralisation of my Department was that 600 headquarter posts would move to Portlaoise, 100 posts in the local offices in Cork city would move to Fermoy and up to 100 posts in the laboratories in Cork and Limerick would move to Macroom. The proposed moves to Fermoy and Macroom were initially deferred for review in 2011. On foot of this review, these projects have now been cancelled on the basis that there was no permanent accommodation or advance party in place.

The fisheries function was transferred to my Department in 2007 and the move of that function to Clonakilty is complete. Some 76 fisheries staff have been relocated to purpose built accommodation in Clonakilty which they share with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and BIM staff. That collective approach makes a lot of sense.

By far the largest of the decentralisation projects undertaken by my Department was the Portlaoise project. My Department currently has 460 staff based in temporary accommodation in seven locations in Portlaoise. The Department's original decentralisation implementation plan allowed for a phased move to Portlaoise so as to minimise risk, aid continuity of business and maintenance of the services delivered to stakeholders. Since the programme began some 300 posts have moved to Portlaoise.

Following the recent Government announcement, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department and the OPW have been reviewing the accommodation requirements in Portlaoise.

My Department has a robust information technology structure and makes use of the most advanced systems for doing business and delivering services to our customers. Voice and data communication links and equipment are used to facilitate communication between locations. Prior to the announcement of the decentralisation programme my Department was familiar with dealing with regionalised structures and therefore was well placed to deal with the complexity of such a programme. It is acknowledged that challenges arose but they were managed so as to cause as little disruption as possible to the Department's business and its customers. I am satisfied that the Department's systems and programmes are fully operational and that my Department is operating effectively and efficiently.

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