Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2004

Department of Finance

Decentralisation Programme

10:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Finance the supports, financial or otherwise, which will be made available to civil and public servants transferring to new locations outside of Dublin under the proposed decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29864/04]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The decentralisation implementation group in its second report published in July 2004, recognised that a professional and comprehensive range of support services should be provided to assist decentralising staff with the myriad of issues likely to arise. The number of moves of staff and their families provides a significant market opportunity for providers of professional and other services. If it is possible for providers to offer services on a centralised or co-ordinated basis, there would also be significant benefits for staff.

The group recommended that the Department of Finance approach the market seeking expressions of interest for the supply of services covering auctioneering, legal, relocation and other appropriate services to support and assist staff relocating to any of the centres under the public service decentralisation programme. Depending on the expressions of interest received, the Department may pass on information about the services being offered to staff.

The Department advertised in the national press on Monday, 8 November for expressions of interest for the supply of services. The request for expressions of interest made it clear that no subsidy from public funds would be provided for any of the services offered or provided to staff. What services are provided and what the costs might be are issues which will have to be agreed between the provider and those members of staff who are considering using the services offered. The programme of decentralisation will be implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis. There will be no redundancies and, as on previous occasions, the payment of removal or relocation expenses will not arise. However, discussions will be held with the public service unions at every stage to ensure the necessary support is in place for all staff affected by the programme.

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