Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.

John Bruton

Question:

156 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to Newbridge as a result of the relocation of his Department headquarters; the square footage of the office space occupied in Dublin; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for the disposal of this office once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location in Newbridge to which the staff will move; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if his Department headquarters will be maintaining a base in Dublin in order to provide a base to facilitate Dáil business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff moving will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, if the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred have been estimated; when he expects the move to Newbridge to be fully complete; if he expects difficulties in regard to the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be nearby; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in Newbridge. [31059/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his recent Budget Statement provides for the transfer of all my Department's Dublin based Civil Service staff, numbering some 200 personnel in all grades up to and including Secretary General, to Newbridge, County Kildare. The Civil Service staff in my Department are based at Parkgate, Infirmary Road and Coláiste Caoimhín, Glasnevin, both of which are owned by the State.

My Department has had no discussions to date with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision of official accommodation for Departments, concerning the extent or availability of office accommodation in Newbridge. The question of the requirement to maintain a location in Dublin will be examined by the decentralisation unit which is being established as part of the decentralisation implementation process. No difficulties are expected to arise in the administration of policy consequent on the decentralisation of my Department.

Staff or staff representatives were not consulted in advance of the Government decision on decentralisation. However, all staff and their unions-associations will be fully consulted in regard to implementation of the decision. The decentralisation programme, which is expected to be completed in three years, will be implemented on a voluntary basis and the payment of removal or relocation expenses will not arise. No estimation of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred has been made.

John Bruton

Question:

157 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the number and grade of the staff to move from Dublin to the Curragh because of the relocation of the headquarters of the Defence Forces; the square footage of the Dublin office in which those staff are located; if the office is owned by the State; if not, the plans for its disposal once the proposed move has been effected; the precise location to which the staff will move in the Curragh; the proposed square footage of the office accommodation to be provided there; if the accommodation in question is already built; if not, the plans for building the accommodation; if the Defence Forces headquarters will be maintaining a base in Dublin to provide assistance with Dáil Éireann business, meeting delegations and so on; if so, the location of this accommodation; if discussions have taken place with staff interests with regard to the move; if the staff will be eligible for disturbance money; if not, has the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred been estimated; when he expects the move to the Curragh to be fully complete; if he expects difficulties with the administration of policy in his Department arising from the fact that the office will no longer be nearby; and if arrangements will be made for civil servants who are local authority tenants in Dublin to obtain similar tenancies in the Curragh. [31060/03]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The Deputy will be aware that the Government decision on decentralisation announced by the Minister for Finance in his recent Budget Statement provides for the transfer of 300 Defence Forces headquarters staff to the Curragh, County Kildare. All Defence Forces ranks up to and including Lieutenant General, Chief of Staff, will be involved. The Defences Forces headquarters occupy State owned locations at Parkgate, Infirmary Road; Coláiste Caoimhín, Glasnevin, and also at Park House, North Circular Road, which location is leased by the Office of Public Works. The future plans for these locations are a matter for consideration by that office. In addition, elements of Defence Forces headquarters are located at McKee Barracks. Accommodation requirements for the relocated offices in the Curragh have yet to be established. No difficulties are expected to arise in the administration of policy consequent on decentralisation of Defence Forces headquarters to the Curragh.

The representative associations have been made aware of the Government decision on decentralisation. The decentralisation programme is expected to be completed in three years and removal or relocation expenses will not be payable. No estimation of the additional travelling costs and expenses claims which will be incurred has been made.