Mary Coughlan
Question:214 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Defence the proposals, if any, he has regarding the continuation of civilian maintenance staff in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9255/96]
Written Answers. - Civilian Maintenance Staff.
The Defence Forces Review Implementation Plan phase I, copies of which issued to all Dáil Deputies, sets out under a heading of "Building Maintenance and Furnishing" in Chapter 6 (Logistics and Material) that:
The maintenance of military installation buildings will continue to be undertaken by existing civilian employee maintenance staffs for the Barrack commander. Supervision will be provided by engineers from the Logistics Battalion. The evaluation of alternative means of maintaining barracks will be examined during phase I.
Of relevance also is the "Civilianisation" section of Chapter 8 — Special Studies — of the implementation plan which includes the statement.
There is a need for a detailed study to examine the role and disposition of all civilian personnel under the new arrangements. This will be carried out during the phase one plan and will be undertaken in conjunction with a study to identify areas where tasks undertaken by military personnel under the new arrangements might be civilianised or contracted out.
Any changes that the proposed study may recommend in relation to existing civilian employees will be notified to, and discussed with, all appropriate parties at as early a date as possible. The civilianisation study, along with a number of other special studies identified in the implementation plan, will be carried out over the three year time-frame allowed for in phase I of the plan.