Reply To: Decentralisation – the end…?

Originally posted by Paul Clerkin
Decentralisation plans hit legal snag

25/07/04 00:00

By Niamh Connolly
The government has been warned that staff in 30 state agencies could pursue constructive dismissal cases if it proceeds with its plan to decentralise jobs out of Dublin.

In a further blow to the government’s controversial policy, officials at the Department of Finance have been warned by the union, Siptu, that any attempt to transfer state agencies to the regions could lead to “a situation of dismissal” under the terms of the Redundancy Payments Act 1997.

Only 2 per cent of state agency employees, out of 2,249 surveyed, expressed any interest in moving out of Dublin, according to figures compiled by the Central Application Facility (Caf).

“National Roads Authority engineers have specific skills and do not have the option of becoming tax inspectors,” said Reidy.

It might not do any harm if the NRA gained some experience of just how limited state funds are before shovelling so much cash in to multiple motorways ie 4 in Co Meath and a 70+ mile link from Portlaoise to Limerick when two in Meath and a 25 mile link was possible for Limerick.

Originally Posted By Paul Clerkin
Despite the paucity of interest among civil servants and state agency staff, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Tom Parlon, is proceeding with the purchase of sites in Athlone, the Curragh, Longford, Furbo, Carlow and Trim for relocated state agencies and departments. [/B]

I will be surprised to see Parlon at Junior ministerial level come Christmas, the Midlands expansion strategy of the PDs is in crisis, 2 Council seats in Offaly will see Parlon lucky to return and the Mae Sexton is History the Pharma plant promised for Longford has gone to Southern Belgium and her constituency base no longer exists thanks to the boundary commission