Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with other Government Departments or State agencies who are concerned at the reported potential loss of up to 20% of the 1,700 specialists whose positions have been earmarked for decentralisation as a result of the Government's decentralisation programme; the steps being taken to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17177/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, less than 1,000 of the 7,200 Civil Service posts covered by the Decentralisation Programme or 10% of the overall programme is composed of professional and technical posts. While the take up from the professional and technical staff has been low to date, in the region of 140 professional and technical personnel have already been assigned to posts that are decentralising.

The Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG), which was established in 2003 to drive the decentralisation process forward, has acknowledged that challenging issues remain in relation to the decentralisation of professional and technical grades including the filling of posts in undersubscribed locations, the placing of staff remaining in Dublin and promotions. While these issues also arise in relation to general service grades, addressing them in the context of professional and technical grades is complicated by the challenges associated with transferring between different organisations or streams.

Having met with the Secretaries General of each Civil Service department decentralising in full, the DIG is generally satisfied that a prudent approach is being taken by each organisation in relation to assessing the risks involved and the adoption of appropriate measures to manage business risk.

The DIG has asked my Department to explore all appropriate avenues, in consultation with the relevant union representatives, to overcome the difficulties and to come to a conclusion on the issues as soon as possible. In that regard, discussions have been ongoing with the unions representing professional and technical staff and proposals have been tabled in relation to options for staff remaining in Dublin. In addition, staff have been assured of the voluntary nature of the programme. Those wishing to remain in Dublin will be absorbed into posts in the civil service or, alternatively, in other public service bodies.

I am pleased to report that there has been some positive engagement with the relevant unions in a number of individual organisations.

As the Deputy will also be aware, there are, in addition to the professional and technical grades in the Civil Service, specialists posts within the State Agencies which are due to decentralise under the Decentralisation Programme. The DIG noted in its latest Report that while progress has been made by some State Agencies, there has been a marked lack of action in some others. The DIG has met with CEOs from a number of State Agencies to get an overview of progress to date and to identify the challenges remaining in implementing the Government policy.

The main issues facing the State Agencies are those relating to the filling of posts in undersubscribed locations, the placing of staff choosing to remain in Dublin and promotion arrangements. These issues are the subject of ongoing contacts between my Department and ICTU.

An approach based on negotiations and agreement has enabled significant progress to be made in relation to the Civil Service moves and it is the intention to continue with this policy in relation to the professional and technical grades in both the Civil Service and the State Agency sector.