Plans to transfer probation officers abandoned

Decentralisation plans to transfer almost 100 probation officers from Dublin to Navan have been abandoned.

Denying the decision marked a climbdown in the Government’s programme, the Minister of State responsible for decentralisation, Tom Parlon, said probation officers needed to remain close to their clients in the courts.

“This was an operational matter with the Department of Justice,” he said. “When they looked at the situation with regards to the probation office and the fact their clients are based in Dublin, it didn’t make sense to move them to Navan.

“They came up with a solution, which has been agreed all round.”

Under the new plans, fewer than 20 administrative post will be moved, including the chief probation officer and deputy.

In an attempt to still create 120 State jobs in Navan, the upgraded human resources division of An Garda Síochána will be moved, along with staff from the Coroners’ Agency and the auctioneers’ regulatory body.

It is believed the the probation officers’ refusal to move, and their victory, will now set a precedent and make it more difficult to transfer thousands of other professional and technically-qualified staff.

IMPACT national secretary Louise O’Donnell said the decentralisation plans are very demoralising for workers, who do not know where they will be moved, and if they will even hold the same positions within departments.

She said the union does not oppose decentralisation plans, but insisted specific issues still need to be addressed for professional and technical staff.

“We welcome this solution, but we believe there are a number of other organisation where the same principles apply,” said Ms O’Donnell. “We have people being transferred whose work is based in Dublin.”

The latest decision comes despite Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s Dáil announcement yesterday that decentralisation of Government staff and departments is essential to ease population and traffic pressures in Dublin and would promote more balanced regional development.

“The absolute assurance given by the Government from the outset is that no civil servant will lose their job,” added Mr Parlon, who has agreed to meet Impact later this month to discuss the move.

“Civil servants who choose to stay in Dublin will be facilitated with gainful employment and will not lose out on their career opportunities.”