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

Question 834: To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the announced deadline for the decentralisation of Defence Force headquarters to the Curragh, County Kildare, in December 2009, the number of staff scheduled to have been decentralised by December 2009 in his Department and by the Defence Force that have been decentralised; the number that remain to be decentralised; if deadlines for decentralisation of his Department and the Defence Force are on target; if the target has been missed, has a new target date been set; the date of the new target; the additional costs to the Exchequer that have resulted from missed deadlines; the extent of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2229/10]

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

The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation provides for the transfer of my 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. Approximately 200 of my Department's Dublin-based civil servants, together with about 55 military personnel will relocate to Newbridge. Approximately 88% of Civil Service staff who wish to decentralise to Newbridge were in situ at the end of December. The new building at Newbridge is progressing well and is expected to be ready for occupation in the summer. Costs in relation to the building project are borne on the Vote of the OPW.

In relation to the Curragh and in light of budgetary constraints at this time the Government has decided to defer proceeding with the new building for DFHQ at the Curragh. This location, along with a number of other deferred locations will be considered as part of the overall review of the programme in 2011. The decentralisation projects at these locations have not been abandoned. The implications of the deferment of the Curragh project are currently being considered by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Office of Public Works.