Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Details of the Government's decentralisation programme were first announced in budget 2004. At that time it was also stated that, with regard to property, the overall objective would be to ensure that property being acquired at regional level is matched as closely as possible, both in time and in cost terms, by disposal of property currently held in the Dublin region, whether held on lease or otherwise.

The decentralisation implementation group was appointed to drive forward implementation of all aspects of the programme. The property aspects of the programme were included among the group's terms of reference. In November 2004, the implementation group submitted two reports to me and the recommendations in both reports were approved by the Government. One of these reports related to procurement methodology and financial assessment of the property aspects of the programme. A financial model has been prepared by the implementation group, based on a property finance study carried out by the Office of Public Works. Using current assumptions this model shows that break even position in property will be reached in 2026.

With regard to the non-property aspects of the programme, the question of removal expenses and voluntary early retirement does not arise. Similarly, it has been made clear from the outset that as participation in the programme is voluntary, the payment of removal expenses does not arise. As regards other costs, a report was prepared by Deloittes at the request of the implementation group and published in November 2004. This report dealt with the areas in which non-property costs and savings might arise both during the relocation phase and in the context of a post-decentralised Civil Service. It is available at www.decentralisation.gov.ie.

Overall, at this stage it is not possible to give a per capita cost for the programme but I am satisfied that the proper structures are in place to monitor all aspects of the costs on an ongoing basis.