Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004

Thursday, 25 March 2004

Questions (22)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

18 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the proposed decentralisation of the Civil Defence school from Dublin to Roscrea which, according to the review of An Agreed Programme for Government, was to have taken place in late 2003; if premises have been acquired in Roscrea; the number of staff currently employed in the defence school in Dublin, broken down by grade; and the number of such staff who have agreed to transfer to Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9291/04]

Written answers

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

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 Government Departments, is in discussion with the owners of suitable premises at Benamore in Roscrea for the newly established Civil Defence Board. I expect that the move will take place during the summer.

The Civil Defence Board has a staff of 22 in the following grades:

Grade
Director General	1
Assistant Principal	1
Technical Officer Grade II	1
Communications Officer	1
Higher Executive Officer (Instructor)	2
Higher Executive Officer	4
Executive Officer	2
Staff Officer	1
Clerical Officer	4
Services Officer	1
Watchman	2
Range Attendant	1
Storekeeper-Clerk	1

Some ten members of the staff have indicated a desire to relocate to Roscrea.