Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will remove the condition that has been imposed on many confined competitions that all successful candidates must undertake to decentralise in order that the principle of the voluntary nature of decentralisation can be maintained. [36109/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's decentralisation programme announced in budget 2004 provides for the transfer of 10,300 Civil Service and public sector posts from Dublin to other locations. Almost all Departments are involved, either wholly or partly. A number of semi-State organisations are also involved in the programme.

The programme is voluntary, that is, staff may opt to decentralise with their post or to another post in a decentralised location, or they may opt to remain in Dublin. The relocation requirement that the Deputy refers to is not in any way inconsistent with the voluntary nature of the decentralisation programme. The general principle that promotees should, in view of the Government's decentralisation programme, be asked to accept their new appointment on the basis of agreement to relocate with their posts is the subject of continuing discussions between management and the Civil Service unions.

A draft agreement on the filling of posts through promotion has been under discussion between management and the Civil Service unions for some time. The draft agreement covers both inter-departmental promotion competitions and internal promotions. In relation to inter-departmental promotions, all appointees from such competitions must agree to re-locate with their new post. In relation to internal promotions, where a Department is decentralising in its entirety, from 52 weeks before decentralisation, all promotions in the Department will be made on the basis of a written commitment by promotees to relocate; where a Department is partially decentralising, from 52 weeks before decentralisation, one half of all promotions will be made on that basis.

Pending final agreement with the Civil Service unions and to ensure that the staffing needs of Departments and offices continue to be met, inter-departmental competitions are currently being held on the basis of this draft agreement. In addition, Departments and offices have been asked by the Department of Finance to follow the procedures in the draft in relation to internal promotions. It is expected that the agreement will be finalised shortly.

The Deputy should be aware that there are also a number of particular cases in which Civil Service unions and staff are seeking confined competitions to appoint unestablished staff, who are, in many instances, employed on contract, to established posts within the Civil Service. As the general principle that promotees should be asked to agree to decentralise is now being implemented in both inter-departmental and internal promotions in accordance with the draft agreement, it is clearly essential that the possibility of applying the same condition in these cases should also be considered. These cases are being examined by the Department of Finance and the relevant Departments and Office. They are also being discussed with the relevant trade unions.