Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 567: To ask the Minister for Defence the status of and progress made in the planned decentralisation of the Civil Defence to Roscrea, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21023/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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 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; 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; 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.