Written answers
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Decentralisation Programme
5:00 pm
Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the review of decentralisation projects that have been selected for review; when a final decision will be made on their progress and specifically on the review process involving the proposed Charlestown, County Mayo, location. [36803/11]
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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My Department is reviewing, in liaison with the OPW and the relevant Departments, the viability and future prospects of 22 decentralisation projects. I will bring proposals to Government later in the year in relation to these. These projects, detailed in the table, include those where temporary accommodation was provided for advance parties of various sizes pending permanent accommodation for the entire project; those with permanent accommodation that now face the prospect of significant staffing shortfalls due to the change in the staffing outlook; and some that have business/operational effectiveness issues that require further consideration.
The review of the 17 advance party projects, including the one currently at Tubbercurry (for Charlestown), will take account of property and cost issues; the possibilities for integration with other regional or national offices; staffing and IR issues; and any business, operational effectiveness and related considerations that pertain, including any proposals to curtail and close down programmes and agencies.
The majority of advance party projects were decentralised as viable/stand alone units and moved in accordance with detailed implementation plans. In the event that any significant changes to individual projects are necessary in the light of the review, my Department will work through the implications of any decision, in consultation with decentralising organisations, and the unions as appropriate.
Decentralisation Projects to be reviewed*
| Location | Advance Parties | Total Posts due to decentralise | Staff moved to organisation at end January 2011 |
| Athy | Office of Revenue Commissioners (Advance Party) | 253 | 73 |
| Birr | FÁS (Advance Party) | 398 | 20 |
| Carlow | Jobs Enterprise and Innovation (Advance Party) | 257 | 103 |
| Cavan | Communications Energy & Natural Resources (Advance Party) | 301 | 57 |
| Claremorris (Phase I) | Office of Public Works (Advance Party) | 104 | 31 |
| Clifden | Pobal (Advance Party) | 42 | 25 |
| Dundalk | Sustainable Energy Ireland (Advance Party) | 34 | 11 |
| Portarlington | Data Protection Commissioner (Advance Party) | 23 | 23 |
| Portlaoise (for Portarlington) | Equality Tribunal (civil service) (Advance Party) | 42 | 8 |
| Portlaoise (for Portarlington) | NCCA (civil service) (Advance Party) | 37 | 12 |
| Portlaoise | Agriculture Food and the Marine (Advance Party) | 595 | 317 |
| Roscrea | Equality Authority (civil service) (Advance Party) | 41 | 16 |
| Shannon | Enterprise Ireland (Advance Party) | 292 | 66 |
| Tipperary Town | Justice & Equality (INIS) (Advance Party) | 186 | 63 |
| Thomastown | Health & Safety Authority (Advance Party) | 116 | 33 |
| Thurles | Garda Headquarters CGVU & FCPS (Advance Party) | 199 | 133 |
| Tubbercurry (for Charlestown) | Environment Community and Local Government (Advance Party) | 164 | 100 |
| 17 Projects | 2,898 | 1,091 | |
| Projects with Staffing Shortfalls or Business/Operational Effectiveness issues to be considered | |||
| Curragh | Defence Forces | 413 | 0 |
| Clonakilty** | BIM | 90 | 20 |
| Limerick | Development Cooperation, Foreign Affairs & Trade | 134 | 134 |
| Newbridge *** | Department of Defence | 201 | 165 |
| Roscommon | Property Registration Authority | 230 | 77 |
| 5 Projects | 1,068 | 396 | |
| Overall Total 22 Projects | 3,966 | 1,487 |
* The projects to be reviewed include some where permanent accommodation has been provided but where there are staffing shortfalls or business/operational effectiveness issues that require consideration.
** The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (47 staff) were subsequently allocated some of the space provided for BIM.
*** To review HQ designation only.
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