Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 370: To ask the Minister for Defence if the planned decentralisation of Defence Forces headquarters to the Curragh, County Kildare will proceed as planned; the progress that has been made on the new building to house the headquarters in the Curragh Camp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25225/09]

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

The Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of the Department's Dublin-based civil service staff, together with a number of military personnel, to Newbridge, Co. Kildare and for the decentralisation of the Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh.

The number to be relocated to Newbridge is approximately 200 civil service posts together with some 60 military personnel. A further approximately 410 military personnel are to decentralise to the new Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) building in the Curragh.

While the procurement of the new building at the Curragh is a matter for the OPW in the first instance, I wish to inform the Deputy that a state owned site has been chosen for a new building. In April 2009, the OPW received Expressions of Interest from contractors who wish to be invited to tender for the project, and these applications are currently being evaluated by the OPW. The OPW hope to be in a position to proceed to tender in July 2009 with the expectation that work can commence on the project in the first quarter of 2010. It is estimated that the project will take approximately 18 months to complete.