Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Defence the nature and extent of improvement works undertaken at the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh since 2002; the amount spent on such works since; when the Defence Force headquarters will be locating to the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8633/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is engaged in an on-going capital and maintenance programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to the Defence Forces both Permanent and Reserve.

The programme focuses mainly on infrastructural projects such as the construction of new buildings, the refurbishment of existing buildings and major civil engineering works. This is complemented by an annual programme of on-going maintenance.

Since 2002 the total amount spent in the Curragh is in excess of €24 million. The following table which I propose to circulate in the Official Report details the major projects undertaken in the Curragh from 2002-2006.

A Government decision on decentralisation, announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement on 3 December 2003 provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, Co. Kildare. It is anticipated that Defence Forces Headquarters will relocate to the Curragh by late 2009.