Written answers

Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Decentralisation Programme

10:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current and capital expenditure which has been incurred to date in respect of the decentralisation projects which have been deferred until a further review occurs in 2011. [38897/08]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who have been relocated to each of the decentralised locations established by units or agencies under his Department; the floor areas and occupancy capacity of each of the facilities concerned; and the date by which it is intended to complete the transfer of remaining staff. [38912/08]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of staff moves that have been necessitated by the decentralisation programme in units or agencies in his Department distinguishing the moves at managerial or technical level. [38927/08]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the facilities in Dublin which units or agencies under his Department, plan to vacate as a result of the decentralisation programme; the floor areas involved; and when it is planned that they will be realised. [38942/08]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 262, inclusive, together.

My Department's decentralisation programme has been extremely successful. Five hundred and fifty posts have moved to office accommodation which has been sourced by the Office of Public Works. This is sixty per cent of the overall target numbers and the Justice and Equality family now has a presence in all of the seven locations covered by the programme.

The five hundred and fifty staff have been sourced from the Central Applications Facility in accordance with the protocols agreed between staff and management. This has necessitated the movement of staff both into and out of my Department and its agencies as well as the reassignment of existing staff within the Department. In all cases, this has been managed in a way that ensures that there is no diminution of services to the public. I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 368 and 403 of 30 September 2008 and No. 344 of 21 October 2008.

The Deputy will be aware that the bulk of expenditure under the decentralisation programme is in respect of the provision of office accommodation and the associated capital costs and these are a matter for the Office of Public Works. In terms of non-capital expenditure, to date, my Department has incurred costs of around €2.5 m. in relation to the provision of office equipment, training and I.C.T. Arising out of the Minister for Finance's recent Budget statement, the review of the decentralisation programme identified priority elements including a number of my Department's projects which are to be progressed at this time. This will result in the transfer out of Dublin of over eight hundred posts which is almost ninety per cent of my Department's overall target numbers.

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the provision of office accommodation both in Dublin and in the decentralised locations. That Office is carrying out a rationalisation programme in respect of office accommodation in Dublin which has been freed up as a result of staff relocating under the decentralisation programme. My Department, along with all Government Departments, will of course collaborate with the OPW in that exercise.

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