Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 321: To ask the Minister for Defence the timescale for the decentralisation of his Department from Parkgate Street, Dublin 7 to Newbridge, County Kildare; the options available to staff who do not wish to make the move; if a financial severance package will be available to interested staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17980/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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

It is understood that an application for planning permission for the construction of office accommodation in Newbridge for my Department's new Headquarters will be submitted shortly to Kildare County Council. Depending on the outcome of the planning process, the Office of Public Works has indicated that construction and fit-out will take 18 months to complete. It is not anticipated that any staff will move to Newbridge prior to the completion of the new building.

Arrangements have been put in place by the Department of Finance whereby those staff who wish to remain in Dublin are offered posts under the 'Dublin Arrangements' system operated by the Public Appointments Service. To date, 27 of my Department's staff have volunteered for assignment to other Government Departments which are remaining in Dublin.

The question of any severance package for those staff who do not wish to decentralise is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 322: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of people currently within posts in Dublin due to decentralise to the Curragh, County Kildare who have opted to move, distinguishing civilian and military staff; and if the move will be voluntary for all staff concerned. [18036/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following the Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his Budget statement in December 2003, a Defence Forces Decentralisation Implementation Plan was produced on 28 May 2004. This plan makes provision for the movement of approximately 413 military personnel currently employed within posts in Dublin to move to the Curragh with approximately 335 of those personnel being located at the new Defence Forces Headquarters building in the Curragh Camp. DFHQ Communications and Information Services Company and the Defence Forces Printing Press will be located in a separate new facility within the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. This new facility will cater for approximately 78 personnel. In addition, a further 43 military personnel are planned to be co-located with Department staff in the Department's new headquarters in Newbridge.

The terms and conditions of service of military personnel differ from public servants greatly. The transfer of Defence Force personnel to the Curragh and Newbridge will be carried out under the terms of pre-existing Defence Force Regulations. In these circumstances the move by military personnel to the new Curragh and Newbridge facilities will be on the same basis as normal transfers of military personnel and will not be voluntary.

In addition to the above, in the order of 30 civilian employees are assigned to sections of DFHQ that are due to relocate to the Curragh Camp. The move will be voluntary for the staff in these positions with the exception of 4 employees recruited to positions since December 2003 on the basis that they would, in due course, transfer to the Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare. Of the remaining civilian employees assigned to sections of DFHQ that are due to relocate, I understand that 1 employee has expressed an interest in moving to the Curragh Camp.