Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2005

Department of Defence

Decentralisation Programme

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of civil and public servants on a county basis who have been relocated in accordance with the Government's programme for decentralisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18913/05]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement on 3 December 2003 provides for the transfer of my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff to Newbridge, County Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, County Kildare.

The Office of Public Works is currently in discussions with Kildare County Council regarding the possible acquisition of a site in Newbridge for the Department's new headquarters. A site for the Defence Forces headquarters at the Curragh has been selected and preliminary planning in connection with the design of the building has commenced. Accordingly, in the absence of office accommodation, there have been no staff transfers to the new locations. It is envisaged that both relocations will take place in 2007.

In the context of the White Paper on defence, the Government decision of 29 February 2000 provides for the decentralisation of the Civil Defence Board to Roscrea, County Tipperary. There are approximately 30 posts in the Civil Defence headquarters. Ten staff of the Civil Defence Board have moved to temporary accommodation in Roscrea with effect from 10 September 2004. The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Government Departments, has placed a contract for the fit-out of a leased building in Roscrea. It is expected that this building will be available for occupation later this year.

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