John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 93: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the situation in relation to promotion panels for Departments that are under going decentralisation planning; the situation regarding promotions coming up in Dublin; if all promotions are for decentralised positions; if there is a standard practice being operated by all Government Departments or if individual policies exist; the position regarding a portion of promotions being made to staff not decentralising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18356/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Promotions generally within the Civil Service are regulated by agreements reached at the General Council of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service.

In relation to the implementation of the Decentralisation Programme, discussions have taken place at the General Council Sub-Committee on Decentralisation and arrangements have been put in place providing for a standard practice for the filling of posts. These arrangements cover both inter-Departmental promotion competitions and internal promotions. In relation to inter-Departmental promotions, all appointees from such competitions must agree to re-locate with their new post. In relation to internal promotions, where a Department is decentralising in its entirety, from 52 weeks before decentralisation, all promotions in the Department are made on the basis of a written commitment by promotees to relocate; where a Department is partially decentralising, from 52 weeks before decentralisation, one half of all promotions are made on that basis.

In the case of a Department remaining in Dublin, where a post is due to be filled from an inter-Departmental panel, that post will be filled by the appointment of an officer who has opted not to relocate with his /her Department. The arrangements described above apply only to general service posts in the Civil Service. Discussions on this matter are ongoing with the unions representing professional and technical staff in the Civil Service.