Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Government has plans for a review of the programme of decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23681/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to move ahead with decentralisation, ensure that no public servant is obliged to accept decentralisation against their wishes and that promotions opportunities remain available.

A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted to me and published on 8th October last. The Group reported that implementation of the civil service elements of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. At the end of August 2007, over 3,000 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. Almost 1,300 of these are currently in place, in 20 new locations, while the remainder are being trained in advance of decentralisation to a new location, as soon as accommodation becomes available. In addition to these 20 locations are a further 9 locations in which Agencies have established a presence.

It is envisaged that by the end of 2007 public services will be delivered from 33 of the decentralisation towns with approximately 2,000 staff transferred. The precise numbers moving within that time frame will depend on the availability of property as well as timeframes for completion of fit out and installation of necessary ICT (information communications technology) and telecommunication cabling and equipment.

The OPW conducts a review of the property timeframes for permanent accommodation on an ongoing basis. Based on its experience to date in relation to timeframes for property selection and acquisition, brief and design issues, tendering periods, planning issues and contractual arrangements, it has provided an updated schedule of the likely availability of accommodation. While I am satisfied with the progress reported so far, I am anxious to ensure that the momentum of the programme is maintained and developed and I will be asking my Ministerial colleagues to review these timeframes in association with the OPW and the DIG to assess where earlier progress could be made either in relation to permanent accommodation or advance accommodation.

The Government appreciates that there are a number of challenges remaining, which have been identified by the DIG in its latest report. My Department and the wider management of the public service will continue to work closely with staff representatives to seek appropriate solutions to address the concerns of the professional & technical staff and those employed in state agencies, while also ensuring the delivery of the Government programme.

I can confirm that the Government is determined to make significant progress towards advancing the State Agency elements of the programme during the lifetime of this administration. In this context I would refer the House to the remarks of the DIG that over 1,000 employees of State agencies have expressed a preference on the CAF to relocate with either another public service or civil service organisation and it is not unreasonable that these applicants would expect that their applications would have been advanced at this stage. The recent Labour Court recommendation in relation to FAS provides both unions and management with a fresh opportunity to address this issue constructively and in that regard my Department is actively seeking to get discussions underway with ICTU on the range of industrial relations issues involved.

As you will be aware at this stage, the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioner has written to me outlining some business continuity issues regarding the relocation of that Office's full ICT function to Kildare Town. I have agreed in principle to an alternative mix of posts for the Kildare location and have asked the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners to submit a formal proposal for the sourcing of those posts.

I can also confirm that the Minister for Defence has decided to increase the number of Defence Force personnel relocating to the Curragh from 300 to 413. The number of Defence Force personnel moving to Newbridge will also increase to 43 which is a small increase in the numbers from that previously proposed.