Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself with regard to the numbers of persons from within State agencies who have indicated a willingness to decentralise with their agencies; and his views on the assessments from some of the agencies of the risk of damage to delivery of services. [7131/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that the number of applications to the central applications facility, CAF, from the Civil Service are much better than those from State agencies. Unlike the State agencies, the Civil Service has considerable previous experience of decentralisation and has a long tradition of interdepartmental transfers.

The decentralisation implementation group asked that all organisations participating in the programme should prepare detailed implementation plans including risk mitigation strategies. These plans were prepared and submitted to the group and most included risk mitigation strategies. In its July 2004 report, the group noted that the overall quality of the plans was good. It has recommended, in paragraph 9.3, that in preparing the next version of their implementation plans, each organisation should ensure a risk mitigation strategy is included. I am satisfied this represents a realistic approach to risk identification and mitigation.