Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Finance if, in regard to decentralisation proposals that are relevant to his Department he has satisfied himself that sufficient numbers of staff at Secretary General and assistant secretary level are currently willing to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5024/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Secretary General of his Department has consulted with officers at assistant secretary level regarding decentralisation; the number who have expressed an interest in decentralising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5039/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.

In 2004 my Department requested each Secretary General or head of office to discuss the question of decentralisation with his or her senior officers at assistant secretary level. In total, up to 60 posts at this level are due to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The decentralisation implementation group reported in September 2004 that, at that stage, 19 individuals indicated that they would move or were likely to move and a further 19 would consider moving at a later stage.

Since then vacancies at this level are being filled by the top level appointments committee, TLAC, on the basis that the successful candidate will decentralise at the appropriate time. I do not consider it appropriate to indicate the individual preferences of officers at this level in my Department but I can say that I am confident that there will be a sufficient cadre at this level to provide continuity of leadership and management experience as the decentralisation programme is rolled out over the coming years.

The senior management of my Department are all actively involved in the preparation of the implementation plans for decentralisation to meet the timescale emerging from the work of the decentralisation implementation group which is co-ordinating the effort.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of posts to be filled at Secretary General and assistant secretary levels under the decentralisation plans announced in December 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5052/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Up to 70 posts at Secretary General, assistant secretary and equivalent levels are due to be decentralised under the Government's decentralisation programme, including nine posts at Secretary General level.

Since the announcement of the programme, vacancies at this level, including those at Secretary General level, are being filled by the top level appointments committee, TLAC, on the basis that the successful candidate will decentralise at the appropriate time.

I am satisfied there will be a sufficient cadre at this level to provide continuity of leadership and management experience as the decentralisation programme is rolled out over the coming years.