Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on staffing needs in her Department in the coming years; the progress made on the implementation of the decentralisation plan in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32927/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), falling disease levels, the introduction of new computer systems and efficiency gains means that staff numbers within my Department are currently on a downward trend. My Department is actively managing the orderly redeployment of staff that become available to other work areas and, in conjunction with Department of Finance, to other Departments. Already this year, over 225 staff have been transferred to other Government Departments, including Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Courts, Departments of Social & Family Affairs, Justice & Law Reform, Education & Science, Transport and Environment & Local Government. My Department is constantly reviewing its operations and has also commenced a comprehensive review of its organisational structure. Future staffing levels will be based on the outcome of these reviews and the need to maintain coherence, efficiency and effectiveness in providing quality services to our clients.

Regarding decentralisation, my Department's Decentralisation Implementation Plan allows for a phased movement to Portlaoise, i.e. the transfer of functions and posts over a number of years. The 2005 and 2006 phases are now substantially complete and planning and preparations are ongoing for 2007 and subsequent phases. In total, there has been an increase of some 180 full-time posts in Portlaoise since early 2004 and there are currently over 400 Department of Agriculture and Food staff in Portlaoise. My Department has taken temporary accommodation in Portlaoise to cater for this increase. The site for the location of the Department's new offices in Portlaoise was approved in 2005 and will provide for the development of a complex to accommodate up to 850 staff, which will also incorporate the existing staff in Portlaoise. The OPW sought applications from developers earlier this year and they estimate that construction will begin in 2007 and will be completed in 2009.

The process of recruitment for Fermoy has begun. My Department is liaising with the OPW regarding specifications for the buildings and identification of sites in both Fermoy and Macroom.