Written answers

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Department of Finance

Decentralisation Programme

11:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department's programme for decentralisation has progressed; the associated costs to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10250/07]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The official opening of my Department's new offices in Tullamore took place on the 6th of October, 2006. Currently, my Department has decentralised one hundred and eighteen (118) staff to Tullamore and a further six (6) staff have accepted offers of decentralisation. The new offices in the Central Business Park in Tullamore is a modern, state of the art building comprising three floors, with a total floor area of approximately 3,400 sq metres on a site of 2.8 acres. The Office of Public Works (OPW) paid for the purchase and fit out of the building which cost €11,315,670.39. Other costs associated with the move to Tullamore to end 2006 amount to €491,810.77.

My Department together with the OPW is currently examining possibilities for permanent accommodation in Kildare to accommodate circa 30 ICT posts, which will also be moved under the decentralisation programme. Pending the identification of a suitable permanent accommodation solution, interim accommodation options in County Kildare are being examined, with a view to having an advance move commenced later this year. The cost of the provision of accommodation will be paid by the OPW. To date my Department has not incurred any costs associated with the move to Kildare.

Revenue Commissioners

As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that Revenue will decentralise 50 staff to Newcastlewest, 50 staff to Kilrush, 50 staff to Listowel, 250 staff to Athy, 100 staff to Navan and 380 staff to Kildare. In the case of Newcastle West — Forty six (46) staff of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have decentralised to temporary accommodation in Estuary House, Limerick, in preparation for the move to Newcastle West. When the decentralisation move to Newcastle West takes place, a further five (5) officers will move to the location. An accommodation solution is being progressed and it is expected that this will be complete by early 2008, subject to planning issues being resolved.

In the case of Kilrush, fifty four (54) officers have accepted decentralisation offers and the current projection is that building and accommodation works in Kilrush will finish in May 2007 with occupation to follow shortly afterwards. Similar progress is being made in relation to Listowel, forty eight (48) officers have accepted decentralisation offers for Listowel and the current projection is that building and accommodation work will finish in late May 2007 with occupation to follow shortly afterwards.

Fifty four (54) Revenue staff have accepted decentralisation offers for Athy, and a further thirty seven (37) officers have submitted applications through Central Applications Facility. A number of possibilities for permanent accommodation are being examined by the Office of Public Works, and it is hoped to have an advance party move to Athy in advance of a permanent accommodation solution being finalised.

To date, eighty (80) staff have accepted decentralisation offers for Navan, and a further fifty one (51) staff have priority applications for Navan on CAF. A lease for suitable accommodation is being negotiated by the Office of Public Works and the current projection is that Revenue will be in occupation in the third quarter 2007. One hundred and sixteen (116) people have indicated an interest in decentralising to Kildare with Revenue. The Office of Public Works are in the process of identifying a suitable location.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that to-date the Revenue have not incurred costs of any significance associated with the foregoing decentralisation moves.

Office of Public Works

As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that OPW will decentralise 330 staff to Trim (future OPW HQ); 150 staff to Claremorris and 100 staff to Kanturk. To date three hundred and forty two (342) staff have applied for places in Trim under the CAF process, one hundred and fifty two (152) have applied for places in Claremorris and eighty eight (88) staff applied for places in Kanturk.

OPW has acquired the site in Trim and planning for the new building has been secured and arrangements are being made currently for the Contractor / Developer to move on site shortly. The current target for completion is Q4 2008. It is proposed to manage the move to Claremorris in two phases. The first phase deals with the setting up of an advance office in Claremorris for up to forty (40) staff. In this regard, OPW has identified accommodation suitable for use, subject to fitting out works. Tenders are currently being evaluated for these works and it is expected that work will commence shortly with a view to having the accommodation ready for occupation in the second quarter of 2007. The second phase of this project will be the construction of a permanent office for up to one hundred and fifty (150) staff. The indicative timeframe at this stage for the completion of the construction is early 2009. A site in Kanturk has been identified as suitable for use and its acquisition is being pursued.

Valuation Office and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to Youghal, Co. Cork.

As part of the overall decentralisation programme, it is intended that 100 staff of the Valuation Office will be decentralised to Youghal, Co. Cork and there have been twenty two (22) applications to-date on the CAF. It is also intended that 100 staff of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) will be decentralised to Youghal, and eighty seven (87) staff have applied on the CAF to decentralise with the PAS.

While neither the Valuation Office or PAS are on the early-movers list, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has identified a suitable site for the decentralised Offices in close proximity to the town centre of Youghal. The OPW has advised that, following negotiation with the vendor, agreement in principle has been reached for the acquisition of the site and completion of construction is envisaged in mid 2009. To date, the Valuation Office has not incurred any costs associated with the move to Youghal while the costs incurred by PAS amount to €4,500 (not including staff costs or spending on CAF).

Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

The OSI will decentralise 200 of its Dublin based Headquarters posts to Dungarvan. OSI has a presence in six regional offices where a further 100 staff are located in: Kilkenny, Cork, Ennis, Tuam, Sligo and Longford. These offices will not be relocating to Dungarvan. Applications to decentralise with OSI have been made by forty nine (49) civil and public servants as well as sixteen (16) existing OSI staff based in Dublin. In addition, fifty four (54) OSI staff have been assigned to Dungarvan as a result of recruitment or promotions under the decentralisation programme since its commencement in December 2003. Arrangements for decentralisation are proceeding in accordance with the OSI implementation plan and a site has been acquired in Dungarvan by the Office of Public Works (OPW). To date the OSI has not incurred any financial costs in relation to the decentralisation move.

A detailed table showing the cost of all property and accommodation being acquired by OPW for decentralisation is being compiled and will be forwarded when available to the Deputy.

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