Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 750: To ask the Minister for Defence the timescale envisaged for the completion of the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force in 2010; his plans to initiate a value for money review of the functioning of the his Department and of the arrangements for and implementation of decentralisation within the Defence area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15730/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Ensuring value for money in the delivery of services is a key priority within the Department and the Defence Forces. In this context, the Defence Organisation is widely regarded as a model for public sector reform. The significant improvements that have been achieved over recent years have engendered a culture of continuous improvement within the Defence Organisation and I am confident that where change is required, it will be quickly identified and implemented. The Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes acknowledged the ongoing reform in the Defence Organisation. That report recommended a further reduction in both the number of civil servants and Defence Force personnel over a period of two to three years. This reduction has already been achieved.

The Department of Defence is also committed to undertaking reviews in accordance with the Government's programme of Value for Money and Policy Reviews. A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force, encompassed by this programme, has commenced. The Steering Committee has met on two occasions to date and the target date for completion of this review is end 2010.

The Deputy will be aware that 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 Defence Forces Headquarters (DFHQ) to the Curragh. Approximately 200 of the Department's Dublin-based civil servants, together with about 55 of the military personnel will relocate to Newbridge. The new building at Newbridge is progressing well and is expected to be ready for occupation in the summer.

Site acquisition, building construction and fit-out costs for the Newbridge project, are borne on the Vote of the Office of the Public Works (OPW). I understand that the total estimated cost of the Newbridge project is approximately €30 million.

The expenditure by the Department for the project to the end of 2009 was €905,604. In relation to costs in 2010, it is estimated that ICT costs will be approximately €550,000. Additional costs in 2010, for items such as furniture removals, will be met from within my Department's administrative budget.

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 site selected for the building is state owned.