Announcement of the Government's decision to move the head office of the Legal Aid Board to Cahirciveen - the home town of the Minister for Justice - came at a bad time for the board.
It had just embarked on a major review of its operations with the aim of providing a more consistent service to all its clients, the overwhelming majority of whom seek help with family law. The pressure on the board's resources had led to waiting lists in some areas of almost two years.
The board was be-deviled by rapid staff turnover, fuelled by the stress of the work and the demand for solicitors in private practice. New technology, combined with training and developing staff, was being introduced in order to improve record-keeping and increase through-put. Disruption was the last thing they needed.
However, the board and its chief executive, Mr Frank Goodman, put a brave face on the decision and set about drawing up a report on its implications. The main problem it identified was that "several of its centrally located functions must engage in frequent face-to-face interaction with the 30 Law Centres around the country, and with other parties in Dublin - such essential interaction could not take place from a distant location".
Nonetheless, it did concede that 36 of the 44 posts in head office could operate from Cahirciveen. There would be a need for a small Dublin base to deal with management developments and the operational needs of the organisation. There would also be a need for six additional staff to ensure the work of both offices was carried out.
However, the report added that the early indications were that only a small number of current staff would consider transferring to Cahirciveen, which would mean they would have to be replaced and their replacements trained. Concern was expressed that this be carried out in a way that would ensure continuity of service.
It is understood that interest has been expressed in the posts in Cahirciveen from qualified people from outside the board, particularly in the areas of information technology and accountancy. These aspects of the board's work are seen as easily operated from Kerry.
There is no doubt that the Legal Aid Board will, if it receives the necessary additional resources (and these have been pledged by the Minister) be able to operate from Cahirciveen, while maintaining a small office in Dublin.
But two questions still remain: whether decentralisation of the public service, while universally regarded as both necessary and desirable, is best done to smaller, distant towns with negligible public transport, and whether a service with a large "hands on" component is the best choice.