THE TOTAL number of civil and public service positions relocated under the Government’s decentralisation programme is 3,000 and will rise to about 3,400 by the summer, according to Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.
Posts have been relocated to almost 40 locations. Moves are under way at present to Buncrana, Co Donegal (Department of Social and Family Affairs) and Trim, Co Meath (Office of Public Works).
Buildings at Wexford (Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government) and Newbridge, Co Kildare (Department of Defence) are expected to be ready for occupation by the Summer.
“This will bring the total number of staff moved under the programme to approximately 3,400 during the first half of this year,” the Minister said in response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Ruairí Quinn.
Mr Lenihan added: “In light of the budgetary constraints and affordability issues, I decided in the context of the Budget in December 2009 to defer proceeding with permanent accommodation in respect of the following priority projects: Carlow (Department of Enterprise Trade Employment); Mullingar (Department of Education Science); The Curragh (Defence Forces); Claremorris (Office of Public Works); Charlestown (Department of Community Rural Gaeltacht Affairs); and Drogheda (Department of Social Family Affairs).
“All deferred locations will be considered as part of an overall review of the programme in 2011,” the Minister said. “The Government’s policy on public service numbers has impacted on overall numbers and has led to a reduction in numbers across individual locations.”
Moves that have been deferred, pending a review next year, include: Arklow (NSAI); Athlone (Higher Education Authority); Ballinasloe (National Roads Authority); Carrick-on-Shannon (Central Fisheries Board; Social and Family Affairs, Phase II); Carrickmacross (Social and Family Affairs); Cavan/Portlaoise/Galway (Hiqa); Curragh (Defence Forces); Donegal (Social and Family Affairs); Drogheda (Transport; Citizens Information Board; Local Government Computer Service Board; Railway Safety Commission; Social and Family Affairs); Dungarvan (OSI); Edenderry (Fetac; Hetac; Nqai); Enniscorthy (Bord Bia); Fermoy (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food); Gaoth Dobhair (Foras na Gaeilge Phase II); Kanturk (OPW); Kildare (Office of the Revenue Commissioners); Kildare (Naas: Finance - CMOD); Kilkenny (Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Arts Council); Killarney (Irish Sports Council); Macroom (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food); Mallow (Fáilte Ireland); Mitchelstown (CIÉ Group); Monaghan (Combat Poverty Agency); Mullingar (Education and Science); New Ross (Environment, Heritage and Local Government); Portarlington (Equality Tribunal; Ncca; Newb); Roscrea (Garda Ombudsman Commission); Shannon (Irish Aviation Authority); Waterford (Environment, Heritage and Local Government); Youghal (Public Appointments Service; Valuation Office).