The Government is in retreat from the grandiose plans announced by the former minister for finance, Mr McCreevy, to move more than 10,000 civil and public servants out of Dublin before the end of 2007.
That is no bad thing. The more modest decentralisation scheme, announced yesterday, envisages one-fifth of that number being appointed to local offices by the end of 2008.
Serious questions remain, however, about the cost, viability and administrative effect of the decentralisation programme announced last December. The Government's failure to take account of its own National Spatial Strategy in choosing locations represented a major planning flaw. There was no administrative sense in moving the most senior civil servants out of the capital city. The overall problems created raised questions about conditions of service, pensions and tenure, and the preservation of corporate memory, as well as legal issues relating to civil service appointments.
The situation in relation to the decentralisation of public servants and State agencies is even more problematic. The latest report from the implementation group recommended the development of a long-term, voluntary solution in consultation with the various interests involved. No time-scale was given for the completion of such a process. But it sought to give some comfort to the Government by nominating seven agencies, including FÁS, as early movers. Given that only 5 out of 400 FÁS employees have applied for a transfer, the difficulties are obvious.
The decentralisation programme has found favour with many younger civil servants who anticipate early promotion, a better quality of life and a reduction in their existing commuting times. The 15 locations identified for occupation, before 2009, were oversubscribed by applicants and attracted a range of grades. Six other Departments were specified as "early movers", but no timescale was given for their transfer to new locations.
It will take at least 20 years for the cost of decentralisation, in terms of office accommodation alone, to be met. The great majority of new buildings will be supplied by the State, rather than - as originally envisaged - through public-private partnerships. And if relocation and compensation costs have to be paid, that break-even date will be pushed even further away.
The decentralisation programme was sprung on the State's workforce without consultation in the last Budget. It was a shameless piece of political opportunism, designed to protect and to advance Fianna Fáil's electoral interests before last June's local elections. It failed. Now, in the face of stiff resistance from within the civil and public service, the Government is taking a more measured approach. That is a welcome development.
Decentralisation can provide real benefits. But it must be carefully planned and sensitively implemented. The Government must rethink major elements of its original plan.