Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Finance the state of the decentralisation process; the percentages in the various Departments and agencies who have applied to move; if promotional opportunities have been made contingent on willingness to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10107/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that good progress continues to be made on this ambitious programme. I am particularly pleased with the continuing popularity of the programme among civil and public servants. There are approximately 10,600 applications on the central applications facility.

I would like to refer the Deputy to the decentralisation implementation group's report of June 2005 which identified progress on property, implementation planning, numbers of applicants, human resources issues and industrial relations issues. In line with the group's approach to phasing, the report provided indicative construction start and completion dates for the procurement of office accommodation in the new locations. The full contents of this report can be accessed at www.decentralisation.gov.ie. The final construction dates can only be confirmed when the tender process has been completed in respect of each location and are contingent on the level and quality of market interest in respect of sites, successful negotiation of contracts, receipt of acceptable planning permissions, timely completion of briefs and successful acquisition of suitable sites. I understand that the OPW is updating the position on the property aspects of the programme in light of experience to date.

Discussions have progressed with the Civil Service general service unions on a number of human resource and industrial relations issues. Actual movement of staff within and between Departments and offices is now under way with more than 1,200 staff already assigned to posts which will decentralise. Discussions are continuing with the professional and technical staff representatives in respect of arrangements for staff in those grades.

In regard to the State agencies, the decentralisation implementation group took the view that it would not seek to dictate every step in the process to the management of the State agencies. Although the group proposed a group of State agencies for early mover status, it did not include specific timeframes in recognition of this approach and also of the fact that it is the responsibility of the board and senior management of each agency to implement Government policy. The group stated in its June 2005 report that each agency included in the programme should have a successful relocation as a high level strategic objective and should prepare the next and deeper iteration of its implementation plan. I understand that agencies are preparing these plans at present. In the meantime, the OPW is continuing to seek property solutions in respect of any agency that requires it.

In regard to promotional opportunities, it has been clear from the announcement of the programme that promotion policies in the Civil and public service must take account of the reality of the decentralisation programme. Discussions with the unions representing general service grades in the Civil Service are at an advanced stage. Under these arrangements, a proportion of all promotion posts are linked to decentralisation. Discussions with the unions representing professional and technical personnel are also ongoing. As part of their planning process, the State agencies are also taking account of how recruitment and promotion opportunities may facilitate the early achievement of the decentralisation targets in an efficient manner.

The following tables provide information on the number of applicants for each Civil Service Department-office going to a new location, broken down into internal and external applicants, and the number of applicants for each State agency going to a new location, broken down into internal and external applicants. The data in both tables relate to position at May 2005. My Department will have an update of this data shortly and can provide it to the Deputy in due course.

The balance of applications on the CAF are made up of roughly 1,100 applications for public service organisations (State Agencies) in new locations, and approximately 1800 applications for existing provincial offices.

This analysis also excludes new applications received since May 2005.

The balance of applications on the CAF are made up of roughly 6,900 applications for civil service organisations in new locations, and approximately 1800 applications for existing provincial offices.

This analysis also excludes new applications received since May 2005.