Written answers

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Decentralisation Programme

8:00 pm

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1468: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of civil and other public servants based in Dublin in his Department and agencies who have applied for decentralisation, who have been transferred to their decentralised post and are currently in position in the decentralised location outside Dublin; the number of civil and other public servants required for decentralisation under plans; the original and expected date for full decentralisation to be in place; the locations together with details of properties and land owned, purchased or planning permissions sought for the construction of premises for decentralisation; the costs incurred to date; the original budgeted for and expected total costs to be incurred for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/08]

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1472: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of civil servants and other public servants who have decentralised as at 31 December 2006 and the current date broken down into individual Departments and agencies; the number required for full decentralisation, broken down under individual departmental and agencies' plans; the number of currently decentralised locations in operation; the agencies with no progress; the values of properties purchased and sold in respect of the decentralisation process to date; the other costs incurred to date with the decentralisation process, broken down by category; the number of departmental staff involved in administrating the decentralisation process since its inception; the number of planning applications in progress in relation to building decentralised premises and planning applications to be submitted, broken down by location and planning submission date; the original budgeted and the expected total costs to be incurred for decentralisation; his further proposals in this regard; the expected date for completion of the full decentralisation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3001/08]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1468 and 1472 together.

As part of the Government's decentralisation programme, the headquarters of my Department is scheduled to relocate to Cavan at the end of 2009. This will involve the relocation of approximately 300 posts. 19 staff members transferred as an advance party to Cavan prior to 31st December 2006, with a further 26 transferring during 2007 bringing the total working there at present to 45. Current plans envisage this figure being augmented by approximately a further nine staff in 2008. In addition, my Department continues to progress 120 potential applications from civil servants who have expressed an interest in relocating to Cavan.

No staff members are designated exclusively to the decentralisation work area. The human resource/staffing aspects are overseen by officials in my Department's Personnel Division. Officers in the Staff Development Unit also play a role in terms of inducting/training new entrants. In addition, the Corporate Services Division deals with the accommodation/health and safety aspects of the project.

The bulk of costs associated with the decentralisation programme are to be met by The Office of Public Works. However, I can advise the Deputy that costs incurred by my Department are reported on a regular basis to the Department of Finance and a breakdown of costs reported to date is set out in the table below:

Travel and SubsistenceIncidental ExpensesPostal and Telecom ExpensesOffice MachineryOffice Premises ExpensesTotal
43,7554,61548,6377,531104,538

A significant portion of these costs related to the relocation of the Seafood functions of the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to Clonakilty, County Cork. Responsibility for these functions has since transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The decentralisation programme also entails the relocation of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) with 42 Posts to Dundalk and the Central Fisheries Board with 62 posts Board to Carrick-on-Shannon.

SEI has worked with the OPW in securing accommodation on Dundalk for an advance party based in Dundalk ahead of the permanent move. Two SEI personnel relocated from Dublin to Dundalk prior to December 2006. It is expected that the advance party of 12-15 staff will be in Place in Dundalk by end 2008. Costs incurred by SEI to date, are €58,000 for accommodation rent/overhead and €21,000 for site/building assessment.

In relation to the Central Fisheries Board no staff have to date relocated under the Decentralisation programme. It is understood from OPW that there are significant challenges in identifying suitable accommodation in Carrick-on-Shannon. On that basis no costs have as yet been incurred.

As of 1st January this year my Department has taken over responsibility for the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI). Under current plans, this agency is due to relocate to Dungarvan, County Waterford. My officials are in discussion with OSI management regarding agreeing a framework to progress this policy objective.

In relation to projected completion dates, the Government's Decentralisation Implementation Group has set out an indicative construction completion date for Cavan of end 2009. The DIG adopted a more individualised approach to timetables for State agencies. The group did however ascribe "early mover status" to SEI and that Agency continues to progress its advanced move plans.

Property acquired or sold in respect of the decentralisation process is a matter entirely for the Office of Public Works as is the matter of applications under the planning process. I have no function in these matters.

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