Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 183: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has assessed the implications of the recommendation of the decentralisation implementation group that his Department should 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 the cost involved. [5316/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The recommendations of the Decentralisation Implementation Group, including those in relation to the filling of posts by recruitment and promotion as raised by the Deputy, have been accepted by Government and are currently being followed up by my Department. The filling of vacancies by local recruitment is under way following an open recruitment competition for Clerical Officers which was held in November 2007. Candidates were asked to indicate regional locations in which they would be prepared to serve. The first stage of this process, a written test, has been completed, and the final stage, involving interviews, is currently in progress. Panels of successful candidates to whom offers of appointment will be made to posts in a variety of locations are expected to be available shortly. Successful candidates will be appointed to both existing regional offices and to newly decentralising offices, where there are no remaining Central Application Facility applicants for that grade and location. Arrangements are also being put in place to recruit Executive Officers on a similar basis and it is expected that a competition will be advertised before the end of this month.

It is expected that the majority of unfilled posts will be filled through the normal transfer arrangements under the Central Applications Facility. However, where posts remain unfilled, offers of promotion are being made in accordance with existing arrangements whereby all interdepartmental promotions are offered on the basis that the promoted officer will serve in a decentralised location. With regard to internal promotions, where a Department or Office is decentralising in its entirety, 100% of internal promotions within 52 weeks of the move to the new location are made on the basis that the officer will serve in the new location and, where an organisation is moving in part, 50% of all promotions include a decentralisation condition in the 52-week period prior to the move taking place. The arrangements for filling remaining promotional gaps will be the subject of discussion with the relevant staff unions on an individual organisation basis.

My Department is undertaking a review of the promotion arrangements currently in operation under the Decentralisation Programme and proposals on the formulation of a promotion policy to meet the ongoing needs of Departments and Offices, at local and regional level, is currently being discussed with the staff unions at General Council. It is not possible to quantify the number of posts or costs at this stage as the final position will only be known when the assignment of those volunteers on the Central Applications Facility is complete for each location.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Office of Public Works (OPW) commenced operations in the OPW advance office in Claremorris in September 2007. There are 29 staff currently in place out of the 142 posts to be transferred to this location. OPW has acquired the site for their permanent offices in Claremorris and it is expected that this building will be ready for occupation in 2009.