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Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs:
I refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Finance to Question number 63 on 27 April 2005.
Costs associated with the decentralisation of my Department will depend on a range of factors including, for example, staff time, staff training, accommodation, information and communications technology, transitional expenses and specialist advice.
It is too early to meaningfully seek to quantify the full costs at this stage. My Department will make every effort to keep such costs to a minimum.
To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated per capita cost of relocating public servants under the Government’s decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Questions 63 on 27 April 2005:
Pat Rabbitte. (Nominated by: Joan Burton).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 27th April, 2005.
Ref No: 13362/05
REPLY
Minister for Finance ( Mr Cowen ) :
Details of the Government’s decentralisation programme were first announced in Budget 2004. At that time it was also stated that, in relation to property, the overall objective would be to ensure that property being acquired at regional level is matched as closely as possible, both in time and in cost terms, by disposal of property currently held in the Dublin region, whether held on lease or otherwise.
The Decentralisation Implementation Group were appointed to drive forward implementation of all aspects of the programme. The property aspects of the programme were included among the Group’s terms of reference.
In November, 2004 the Implementation Group submitted two Reports to me and the recommendations in both Reports were approved by the Government. One of these Reports related to procurement methodology and financial assessment of the property aspects of the programme. A financial model has been prepared by the Implementation Group, based on a property finance study carried out by the Office of Public Works. Using current assumptions this model shows that break even position in relation to property will be reached n 2026.
In relation to the non-property aspects of the programme the question of removal expenses and voluntary early retirement does not arise. Similarly, it has been made clear from the outset that as participation in the programme is voluntary, the payment of removal expenses does not arise.
In relation to other costs, a report was prepared by Deloittes at the request of the Implementation Group and published in November, 2004. This Report dealt with the areas in which non-property costs and savings might arise both during the relocation phase and in the context of a post decentralised civil service. It is available at www.decentralisation.gov.ie.
Overall at this stage it is not possible to give a per capita cost in relation to the programme but I am satisfied that the proper structures are in place to monitor all aspects of the costs on an ongoing basis.
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