James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to lift the cap on the number of Revenue staff in Ennis, County Clare, in an effort to address the considerable number of staff awaiting transfer to Ennis (details supplied). [5205/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there were 151 posts in Ennis prior to the announcement of the current decentralisation programme.

The decentralisation programme for the civil and public service announced by the Government in December 2003 required Revenue to establish new offices in Newcastle West, Listowel and Kilrush.

In giving effect to the Government's decision on decentralisation, Revenue has taken the opportunity to consolidate and relocate some functions within the mid-west region. Arising from this, a decision was made to relocate the Clare Revenue district from Limerick to Ennis and the VAT repayments functions from Ennis to Limerick.

The net effect of this decision is that, in addition to establishing the required presence in the three locations defined under the decentralisation plan, an additional 20 posts will be moved to Ennis. There are no plans to move any further functions to Ennis in the foreseeable future.

It should also be borne in mind that under the current decentralisation programme some 660 Civil Service posts will be transferring to the mid-west region, including 50 Civil Service posts to County Clare, and staff have the option of applying under the CAF arrangements.