Written answers

Thursday, 25 May 2006

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Decentralisation Programme

5:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who have opted to remain in Dublin who have been reassigned from decentralising offices; and the numbers who remain to be assigned. [20313/06]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the date on which it is expected that each of the decentralisation moves within his Department or of agencies under his Department will be completed. [20327/06]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the posts of specialist skill which are planned for removal under the decentralisation move; and the number of those who have indicated a willingness to move their posts within units of and agencies under his Department. [20341/06]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who have been assigned to each of the decentralised locations; the number of those who are new recruits; and the number moving on promotion. [20363/06]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 179, inclusive, together.

Under the Government decentralisation programme announced in Budget 2004, this Department is due to decentralise all of its Dublin based headquarters sections, involving some 1,300 staff, to six locations throughout the country.

Only a limited number of posts will remain in Dublin. In addition, the Combat Poverty Agency and Comhairle, agencies under the aegis of the Department, will be relocated to Monaghan and Drogheda, respectively.

The following are the indicative construction start and finish dates for each of the locations to which the Department will be moving:

Location Indicative Construction Start Indicative Construction Completion
Carrick-on-Shannon Under way Q4 2006
Drogheda Q1 2007 Q1 2009
Sligo Under way Q3 2006
Buncrana End 2007 Early 2009
Carrickmacross End 2007 End 2008
Donegal End 2007 Mid 2009

To date, 20 staff have been relocated to Sligo under the programme. All of the posts were filled by applicants on the Central Application Facility (CAF). 24 staff have been assigned to Sections that are due to decentralise early next year and a further 215 people have accepted offers of transfer under the programme. The CAF will remain open for new applications until the full decentralisation programme is complete.

There are currently 22 professional/specialist skill posts in this Department and a number of such posts in the agencies under its aegis that are due to decentralise. None of the staff currently employed in these positions has indicated an interest in decentralising in their current role.

To date, no-one serving in another decentralising Department/Office, who has opted to remain in Dublin, has been re-assigned to this Department. According to information available to the Department from the CAF, 1,549 staff in this Department have not applied to relocate outside Dublin. However, in view of the normal on-going turnover of staff, it is not anticipated that a surplus of Dublin staff will arise in the short-to-medium term. In the event of surplus arising, it will be dealt with in accordance with the agreed arrangements.

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