Former IMPACT chief to lead decentralisation

The former General Secretary of IMPACT, Phil Flynn, will chair the Decentralisation Committee to oversee the transfer of 10,000 public service jobs from Dublin.

Flynn will report directly to the special Cabinet sub-committee on Decentralisation. 53 provincial centres throughout 25 counties will absorb most of the job transfers.

Other members of the Implementation Committee are Dermot Quigley, former Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Jane Williams, Managing Director, Sia Group and Fred Devlin, Chartered Surveyor.

Eddie Sullivan, Secretary General, PSMD, Department of Finance and Sean Benton, Chairman of the Office of Public Works were also appointed.

A joint Department of Finance/OPW unit will be established to support the Implementation Committee and to liaise with other Departments.

In addition, each Minister will establish a dedicated decentralisation unit within his/her Department.

The decentralisation initiative was announced by the Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy in his Budget earlier today.