Vol. 542 No. 4
28 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the arrangement being made by him for the transfer of the Civil Defence Training School from Dublin to Roscrea, County Tipperary; when such transfer is to take place; the number of instructors and specialist and other staff members who have indicated they will not transfer to Roscrea; and the reason for the proposed transfer. [24461/01]
In the context of the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided to decentralise the Civil Defence branch of my Department to Roscrea, County Tipperary. The Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Departments, is currently in discussions with the owners of a building in Roscrea. I understand these discussions are ongoing. It is anticipated that the transfer will take place next year. Of the 30 staff serving in the Civil Defence branch, one has indicated a willingness to transfer to Roscrea. I am confident that, prior to relocation, the required number of suitably trained and qualified staff will be in place. In this regard, more than 100 civil servants serving in other Departments have indicated a desire to transfer to my Department for the purpose of working in the Civil Defence branch in Roscrea.
