Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1449: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the decentralisation of his Department to Newbridge; if the land has been acquired; the number of officials that have agreed to the decentralisation; if the number is sufficient to ensue the effective operation of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29386/06]

Willie 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 all of my Department's Dublin based civil service staff to Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The number of staff to be relocated to Newbridge is 200.

A total of 357 personnel, of which 60 are from within the Department, have opted to move to Newbridge. An additional 28 staff from outside my Department have been assigned to this Department for the purpose of relocating to Newbridge. The Government decision also provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces Headquarters staff to the Curragh, Co Kildare.

The O.P.W. is in advanced negotiations with Kildare County Council in relation to the acquisition of a site in Newbridge.

As my Department is oversubscribed, there will be a sufficient number of officials to ensure the ongoing effective operation of the Department.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 1450: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the decentralisation of the Army head office to the Curragh; the timescale involved for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29387/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces Headquarters staff to the Curragh, Co. Kildare.

The brief for the new Defence Forces Headquarters building has been finalised and preliminary topographical and site investigations have been completed. The Office of Public Works is finalising the outline design currently, to enable the project to be sent to tender. It is expected that the necessary planning notification will be submitted to Kildare County Council before the end of 2006, with works commencing as soon as possible thereafter.