http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2004/0503/pf2017386608HM1DECENTRAL.htmlCivil servants asked to be a 'sport' and decentralise
03/05/2004
Discover decentralisation - that seems to the Government's approach to selling its ambitious plan to persuade more than 10,000 public servants to move outside the capital within the next three years, writes Carl O'Brien.
With surveys showing a lukewarm response among staff to decentralisation, Government agencies are producing brochures detailing the many amenities of destination towns such as trout-fishing, pitch and putt courses and historic attractions.
Staff at Bord Bia and Bord Glas, who are due to move to Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, are told the town is located in a county "renowned for its warm climate, scenic mountains, valleys, rivers, and beaches spanning 200km of coastline".
It also helpfully points out that Enniscorthy has a well-developed crafts industry, with local companies offering hand-crafted garden, patio and conservatory pots.
"Bellefield Design offers a variety of handmade goods from hand-turned lamps and tables in native hardwoods to bean-bags, rosettes and reflective wear. Picture framing is also available for that special photograph, painting or tapestry."
In another "fact sheet" produced by the Department of Agriculture, which is to decentralise 70 posts to Mallow, Co Cork, it describes the location as an attractive town "nestling in the beautiful countryside of the Lee Valley".
The area contains "a large collection of housing to support all budgets", and points out that the River Sullane offers "abundant trout fishing" which proves a draw to fishermen and anglers from far and wide. (The riverbank is also adjoined by an 18-hole pitch and putt course.)
The Department of Defence, which is seeking to move 200 posts to Newbridge, Co Kildare, also talks up the leisure facilities in the town. It singles out for mention the jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas available at the Hotel Keadeen Leisure Centre and the Stand House Hotel.
The timing of the fact sheets is not surprising as thousands of civil servants prepare to list their preferences for decentralisation locations under an application system expected to be finalised this week.
The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr Tom Parlon, is upbeat about the level of interest in the plan.
"In my view what makes the civil service great is integrity, independence and a real sense of public service. None of these things depend on working in offices in Dublin," he said recently
Notwithstanding the lure of fishing opportunities and golfing amenities, it remains to be seen whether the masses of public servants feel the same way.
© The Irish Times
