Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in relation to technical staff in the Overseas Aid Section of his Department who have indicated that they do not wish to move to Limerick as part of the decentralisation process; if they will be allowed to remain in Dublin; the impact this will have on the different overseas aid sections if specialist staff opt to stay in Dublin while administrative staff of the same section and others move to Limerick; if an evaluation has been carried out of the expected negative impact of same on the Irish Aid programme; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39965/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are three Principal Development Specialist posts at Irish Aid headquarters in Dublin. No Principal Development Specialists have applied to decentralise to Limerick.

There are twelve Senior Development Specialist posts at Irish Aid headquarters. Two originally applied to decentralise, but subsequently withdrew their applications.

Finally, there are nine Development Specialist posts at headquarters. Five Development specialists originally applied to decentralise to Limerick and subsequently withdrew their applications. At present four specialists, who commenced employment since the announcement of the decentralisation programme in December 2003, are scheduled to decentralise.

The development specialists perform a central role in the business of Irish Aid. The advice and support provided by them is an integral part of Irish Aid's operation. The specialists work alongside diplomatic and general service staff, in close contact and co-operation with each business unit within the Division. There are a number of issues to be worked out with regard to the technical and specialist posts which are scheduled to move to Limerick.

Discussions have been on-going at a very senior level with representatives of the specialists, with their union IMPACT and with the Department of Finance in order to resolve the outstanding issues.

The Department is aware that there are challenges associated with decentralisation. The Decentralisation Implementation Plan contained an assessment of the risks involved and described the measures being taken to mitigate those risks. In addition, risk assessment and mitigation is considered as a part of the Department's annual business planning. Each unit across the Department is required to consider how they will manage the risks facing them on the basis of the Department's agreed Risk Management Policy and Programme.