Decentralisation Debacle
Budget Day, was the 3rd anniversary of the promise to decentralise 10,000 civil service jobs to the regions. The people of Knock and Claremorris are still waiting for the promised 300 civil service jobs to be delivered. The recent revelation that not one of these jobs has materialised, 3 years later, is another example of a government that has failed to deliver to the west.
The promise was to deliver 142 jobs to Claremorris and 160 jobs to Knock. Not one of these has come about due to government incompetence. The reality is that decentralisation was a ploy to soften the blow of some of the stealth taxes imposed on people after the pre –election splurge of 2002. Clarlie McCreevy began to claw back monies from hardworking families using taxes like 40-euro charge on credit and debit cards. To make this more palatable, he concocted a grand plan to decentralise 10,000 civil servants around the country in 3 years, 300 of which were to come to Mayo.
On the 3rd anniversary of this gimmick, not one job has been delivered into the towns of Knock and Claremorris. It is too late now to call for government action. Instead of treating its staff like smarties, to be dished out for political gain, it should have first consulted and engaged with the unions that represent these people. It will take a change of government to deliver on this 3 year promise.
“New figures showing that only about 750 of the promised 10,300 public servants have actually moved to new locations is just the latest evidence to show that the government’s original programme, as announced three years ago this month by Charlie McCreevy, is simply unworkable. Indeed we also know that of these 750 staff only about half are actually based in Dublin and the balance are simply moving from one location to another outside of the capital
However, we read that Brian Cowen, who is now in overall charge of decentralisation, was able to open the first multimillion euro, purpose built office for staff in his own department. 135 of them are scheduled to move to Minister Cowen’s hometown of Tullamore, and 112 are already in situ. As ever, it is a case of the west will wait. This is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated.
I suspect that government ministers know that the McCreevy plan is unworkable but are unwilling to admit this prior to the general election. It would be far better for the government to be honest with the electorate and with public servants by accepting that this plan has to go back to the drawing board.
The Labour Party has always believed that a properly planned programme of decentralisation can play a vital role in promoting regional development but, unlike the current shambles, it must be a proper plan, with realistic targets and done with the cooperation of the staff. If you are affected by this issue or other issues like it, we would love to hear from you. You can air your views here or contact the campaign team on 087 9713268.
Budget Day, was the 3rd anniversary of the promise to decentralise 10,000 civil service jobs to the regions. The people of Knock and Claremorris are still waiting for the promised 300 civil service jobs to be delivered. The recent revelation that not one of these jobs has materialised, 3 years later, is another example of a government that has failed to deliver to the west.
The promise was to deliver 142 jobs to Claremorris and 160 jobs to Knock. Not one of these has come about due to government incompetence. The reality is that decentralisation was a ploy to soften the blow of some of the stealth taxes imposed on people after the pre –election splurge of 2002. Clarlie McCreevy began to claw back monies from hardworking families using taxes like 40-euro charge on credit and debit cards. To make this more palatable, he concocted a grand plan to decentralise 10,000 civil servants around the country in 3 years, 300 of which were to come to Mayo.
On the 3rd anniversary of this gimmick, not one job has been delivered into the towns of Knock and Claremorris. It is too late now to call for government action. Instead of treating its staff like smarties, to be dished out for political gain, it should have first consulted and engaged with the unions that represent these people. It will take a change of government to deliver on this 3 year promise.
“New figures showing that only about 750 of the promised 10,300 public servants have actually moved to new locations is just the latest evidence to show that the government’s original programme, as announced three years ago this month by Charlie McCreevy, is simply unworkable. Indeed we also know that of these 750 staff only about half are actually based in Dublin and the balance are simply moving from one location to another outside of the capital
However, we read that Brian Cowen, who is now in overall charge of decentralisation, was able to open the first multimillion euro, purpose built office for staff in his own department. 135 of them are scheduled to move to Minister Cowen’s hometown of Tullamore, and 112 are already in situ. As ever, it is a case of the west will wait. This is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated.
I suspect that government ministers know that the McCreevy plan is unworkable but are unwilling to admit this prior to the general election. It would be far better for the government to be honest with the electorate and with public servants by accepting that this plan has to go back to the drawing board.
The Labour Party has always believed that a properly planned programme of decentralisation can play a vital role in promoting regional development but, unlike the current shambles, it must be a proper plan, with realistic targets and done with the cooperation of the staff. If you are affected by this issue or other issues like it, we would love to hear from you. You can air your views here or contact the campaign team on 087 9713268.
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