Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Finance

Decentralisation Programme

9:00 am

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Finance the position on the arrangements for an application system modelled on the central applications facility for civil servants and public servants who intend to remain in the Dublin area in the context of the Government's proposed decentralisation proposal; the number of applications that have been received; the Departments they were received from; if the Dublin central applications facility for civil servants who wish to remain in Dublin is still operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38587/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The primary mechanism for placing civil servants who are in posts which are due to decentralise but wish to remain in Dublin is by way of bilateral transfer. As staff in organisations who are remaining in Dublin, who have applied to decentralise, continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in Dublin.

In addition, the Public Appointments Service has commenced the operation of a system which will match Dublin based posts with people wishing to remain in Dublin. Any decentralising organisation which anticipates that it will have staff wishing to remain in Dublin who cannot be placed within the organisation will engage with the Public Appointments Service in the placement of these individuals. The precise operation of these arrangements is currently being discussed with the civil service unions to improve their overall effectiveness. The aim is to achieve a close alignment between the assignment of staff to Dublin posts and the readiness of Departments to release staff at particular grade levels. When these discussions are concluded, Departments and Offices will be asked to update their returns to the Public Appointments Service. The information sought by the Deputy will be furnished as soon as that exercise is completed.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff in his Department who have indicated willingness to decentralise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38595/06]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The number of staff in my Department who currently have live applications on the Central Applications Facility for decentralisation to other Departments/Offices is sixty nine (69), a further thirty seven (37) staff have already transferred to other departments giving a total of 106 people.

This 106 figure does not include staff in my Department who have already decentralised to Tullamore or those who wish to decentralise to Kildare (12).

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Finance if an organisation (details supplied) in County Donegal has requested to be part of an overall programme of the decentralisation of a Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38621/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that they have purchased a site in Buncrana, County Donegal to accommodate the Department of Social and Family Affairs (decentralised and local office) and the Garda Síochána. The site will be fully utilised in meeting these requirements.

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