Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the full extent of his compliance with the decentralisation programme including details of premises bought or leased, staff which have moved location under the terms of the programme and communications systems which have been installed or upgraded as a consequence of the programme; his assessment of the impact the scheme has had on operations in his Department; his assessment of same in respect of the cancellation of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40240/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I did not support the decentralisation programme but it is appropriate to decentralise functions in respect of certain Departments. This question and similar questions I tabled for other Departments seek to determine our liabilities now that the programme has been cancelled. It will not be clean because staff have moved, computer systems and other supports have been put in place and contractual arrangements have been agreed. In respect of Portlaoise, how much has been spent on temporary accommodation and, if permanent accommodation has been identified, is it in the ownership of the State and will further expenditure be required in respect of it? If the Minister does not have answers to my questions today, when is he likely to have the relevant information?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Like the Deputy, I had serious concerns about the decentralisation programme and I set out my views clearly while I was in opposition. It was a populist move which made no sense and it cost the country a fortune. We are trying to reverse many of the crazy decisions that were taken on the basis of winning votes rather than doing something sensible.

Having said that, we are stuck with what we have. Certain elements of the decentralisation programme were quite successful, an example of which is the relocation to Clonakilty. Other decentralisation projects were completed successfully long before the major decentralisation announcement. Applications, whether for the Department of Education and Skills or my Department, do not have to be processed in Dublin. The work done in Portlaoise does not need to be moved back to Dublin.

However, it is not satisfactory that staff in Portlaoise are accommodated in seven different buildings. We are in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the OPW on the matter. The three options available to us are consolidation of the Portlaoise offices, extensions to Government offices in the town or construction of a new building to accommodate all the staff. We will assess and cost these options. Clearly we cannot afford to spend a lot in terms of capital investment but we need to achieve efficiencies. The process will be completed without a negative impact on the services provided from Portlaoise.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I presume the Minister is also engaging with NAMA. When does he expect to make a final decision on the accommodation arrangements?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The honest answer is when we are ready. We are not going to rush the process because I want to ensure the Department is efficiently run. We employ a large number of staff in Portlaoise and they are doing a good job. I would like to consolidate them under one, two or three roofs rather than seven if that can reduce costs. It will take time to work out how we can best achieve that objective but we will be completely transparent and people will have the relevant information as soon as it is available.

NAMA's job is to maximise the return on the properties it controls. If it has a role to play in regard to properties in Portlaoise I am happy to engage with it. I am not aware of any ongoing conversation between my Department and NAMA, however.