Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of senior and principal development specialists that have been decentralised to Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29334/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs will decentralise to Limerick. In May 2007 an advance party comprising over 50 staff moved to Limerick.

There are three categories of Specialists employed by Irish Aid: Principal Development Specialists, Senior Development Specialists, and Development Specialists.

There are currently two Principal Development Specialists working in Irish Aid in Dublin. No Principal Development Specialist has so far decentralised to Limerick.

There are currently seven Senior Development Specialists serving with Irish Aid in Dublin and two serving in Limerick. There are currently eight Development Specialists serving with Irish Aid in Dublin and two serving in Limerick.

The development specialists perform an important role in the business of Irish Aid. The specialists work alongside diplomatic and general service staff, in close contact and co-operation with each business unit within the Division. There are a number of issues to be worked out with regard to the specialist posts which are scheduled to move. Discussions are on-going at a very senior level with representatives of the specialists, with their union IMPACT and with the Departments of Finance and Foreign Affairs in order to resolve the outstanding issues. Significant progress has been made and I hope that these discussions can be brought to a successful conclusion at an early date.