Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the issues which have arisen following the risk analysis being conducted on his Department's decentralisation programme; the way in which it is intended to address these issues; the projected cost of resolving these issues; the overall cost of his Department's decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31975/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has completed a comprehensive risk assessment of the decentralisation programme. This assessment, which is included in the Department's most recent decentralisation plan submitted to the Decentralisation Implementation Group, identifies specific actions to deal with risks in the areas of HR-staffing, training, business continuity, IT, customer service and accommodation.

Decentralisation is now central to my Department's corporate decision making and business planning process. Specific actions in place to minimise the risks associated with decentralisation are factored into the day-to-day business of the Department. These include proper manpower and succession planning, implementation of enhanced records management policies, continued improvement in customer services, including the availability of online services and the establishment of internal committees and structures to progress specific aspects of the decentralisation programme, such as ICT, knowledge management and communications. The actions progressed to date are, by their nature, part of day-to-day management and governance. It is difficult therefore to quantify the cost involved.

It is not possible at this stage to put an overall cost on the decentralisation of the Department. My officials are developing a decentralisation costing framework, which will be used to produce reports to the Department of Finance on a quarterly basis. To date, approximately €51,000 has been spent directly on decentralisation within the Department. The costs incurred in the acquisition and development of the site and building in Carlow will be met centrally.