Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the number of departmental staff who have decentralised to date; the number of staff who have refused to decentralise; the career implications for these staff; the sections of his Department that have been decentralised and their locations; the amount he estimates the decentralisation process for his Department has cost in general; the way in which decentralisation will affect strategic decision-making of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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To date, 19 Departmental staff have so far decentralised to Cavan, and 25 staff to Clonakilty. In addition, 15 of my Department's staff have left to join other Departments with a view to decentralising elsewhere under the Decentralisation Programme. Based on current figures, approximately 361 of my Department's Dublin based staff have indicated that they do not wish to relocate to Cavan or Clonakilty.

The Government's Decentralisation policy acknowledges the ongoing requirement for Dublin based civil servants.

It is proposed to transfer all of the non-Marine functions of my Department to Cavan in 2009. However, we do already have a small advance presence in Cavan and the following Departmental functions are now based there:

Co-ordination of national policy responsibilities and interaction with the EU;

North-South Co-operation;

Freedom of Information;

Departmental property, accommodation and health and safety functions

Parts of the Coastal Zone Management, Sea Fisheries Administration and Seafood Policy and Development Divisions have so far relocated to Clonakilty. All of the Department's existing marine and fishery functions are due to be located in Clonakilty by summer 2007 including the proposed new Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The costs associated with the decentralisation programme are a matter for the OPW and the Department of Finance.

The loss of expertise and experience through staff opting to remain in Dublin or transferring to other Departments will be safeguarded through a combination of staff overlaps, investment in training and the introduction of a comprehensive knowledge management programme within the Department.