IMPACT calls for decentralisation plans to be revisited

One of the biggest public sector unions is calling for the timetable and scope of the Government's decentralisation plans to be revisited.

IMPACT believes the current plan will cost taxpayers €65m a year, impact negatively on services and antagonise staff.

Its national conference, which will be held in Kerry this week, will hear calls for a rethink on the timetable and scope of the project.

Bernard Harbor of IMPACT says decentralisation can work, but it must be workable and cost-effective for the body involved.

“That's the only way that the services will be preserved,” he said.

“But I suppose equally importantly communities around the country have had their expectations raised.”

“Unless the programme is reconsidered,” he added, “I don't think it's feasible to expect decentralisation to work.”