Decentralisation will cost taxpayers millions - IMPACT

Ireland’s third largest worker’s union IMPACT has said decentralisation could cost taxpayers more than €65m a year.

The trade union has called for an independent investigation into the costs of the scheme.

It says that, because the take-up among specialist staff is so low, the Government will have to recruit almost 900 extra workers for the new locations.

IMPACT spokesperson Louise O’Donnell said the investigation must question the viability of moving such large numbers over a short period of time.