Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has ascertained from all public service agencies involved in decentralisation the make-up of the 2,800 people who have taken up posts due to decentralise; the number of these who are transferring with their post from Dublin, who are transferring upon promotion and who are new recruits; and if he will set out the relevant data. [24237/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the figure of 2,800 refers to the number of civil servants assigned to decentralising posts at end June 2007. At end June my Department had assigned one hundred and thirty-one (131) staff to posts decentralising to Tullamore and Kildare. Of these, thirteen (13) transferred with their posts from Dublin, nineteen (19) transferred on promotion and eighteen (18) were recruited.

I am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that at end June one hundred and sixty-six (166) people had been assigned to decentralising posts. Of these, one hundred and forty-four (144) have chosen to transfer with their posts from Dublin, twenty-eight (28) have been promoted and twenty-five (25) are new recruits. I am also informed by the Public Appointments Service and the Valuation Office that at end June 2007 seventeen (17) staff have been assigned to posts decentralising to Youghal, seven (7) and ten (10) respectively. Of these seventeen (17), six (6) are transferring with their posts, three (3) are transferring on promotion and eight (8) are new recruits.

I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that at end June 2007 they had two hundred and eighty- two (282) staff assigned to decentralising posts. This figure has now increased to two hundred and ninety-one (291) staff who have accepted decentralisation offers for Athy, Listowel, Newcastlewest, Kilrush and Navan. Thirty-five (35) officials are transferring with their posts from Dublin, none have been transferred on promotion and five (5) are new recruits.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of posts and the number of applicants to date on the system established by the Public Appointments Service to match Dublin based vacancies with people wishing to remain in Dublin. [24238/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 172 on 10th October 2007, which sets out the background to the operation of the arrangements in place for civil service general service staff who do not wish to decentralise with their existing or another department. The primary mechanism for placing Civil Servants who are in posts which are due to decentralise but wish to remain in Dublin is by way of bilateral transfer. As staff who have applied to decentralise continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in Dublin.

Arrangements are managed by the Public Appointments Service for general service grades where a bilateral transfer is not possible. The purpose is to match over time staff who wish to remain in Dublin with appropriate vacancies in Dublin posts as they arise. The arrangements allow for prioritisation at certain times of staff in organisations who have an immediate need to be placed in Dublin posts due to the timing of the relocation of their current department or office. It is intended that the arrangements will continue over the implementation of the Programme and the numbers requiring placement will vary in line with the different phasing arrangements for the decentralising organisations. My department is monitoring these arrangements in co-operation with Departments and the relevant unions to ensure that they are operating efficiently.

A total of 70 posts have been circulated under these arrangements to date to staff who do not wish to decentralise. Staff have been assigned or nominated for assignment to over half of these and arrangements are in train to assign staff to the remaining posts over the coming weeks.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the implication of the recommendation of the decentralisation implementation group that his Department should now free up local recruitment where necessary and initiate, where appropriate, arrangements to fill gaps by promotion; if he will act on this recommendation; and the number of posts and costs involved. [24239/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently examining the implications of the recommendations in the latest report from the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG), including those relating to recruitment and promotion. Quantification of the posts and costs involved will form part of that examination, which is expected to be concluded over the coming weeks.