Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to Question No. 493 of 26 April 2005, the number and various grades of staff employed in that branch of his Department; the number and various grades who have applied for transfers to Roscrea; the progress to date in securing a suitable location; when the movement of staff to Roscrea will begin and when it is expected to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14292/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in the context of the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided to decentralise the Civil Defence branch of my Department to Roscrea, County Tipperary.

Of the 18 staff currently serving with the Civil Defence board, 13 staff, in the following grades, have indicated a willingness to relocate to Roscrea: director general — one; assistant principal — two; higher executive officer — five; executive officer — two; clerical officer — two; and technical officer — one.

To date, there have been 111 applications for transfer to Roscrea, in the following grades: assistant principal — five; higher executive officer — ten; executive officer — 22; staff officer — four; and clerical officer — 70.

The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Departments, has issued tenders for the fit-out of a leased building in Roscrea, and a contract has been placed. The contract is expected to take six months to complete.

Part of the staff of the Civil Defence board has already been moved to temporary accommodation in Roscrea since 10 September 2004.