Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in relation to decentralisation proposals that are relevant to his Department, he is satisfied that sufficient numbers of staff at secretary and assistant secretary level are currently willing to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5029/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs 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. [5044/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together.

As part of the decentralisation programme announced in December 2003, my Department is due to decentralise its headquarters to Drogheda. The indicative time for completion of accommodation in Drogheda is 2009.

There are five posts at assistant secretary and one at deputy secretary level in my Department. In the context of a general request from the Department of Finance to all Departments in 2004, these officers were requested to indicate whether they would be likely to move to the Department's proposed new headquarters in Drogheda. It would not be appropriate to indicate the individual preferences of officers in this regard. However, on the basis of the replies which were given at that stage and taking account of the projected timescale involved and having regard to the possibility of staff retirements and other changes in the meantime, I am satisfied that there will be sufficient numbers of staff at assistant secretary level and above who have the experience necessary to ensure continuity of management in the context of the decentralisation programme.